Amelioration of Fluoride Toxicity by Vitamins E and D in Reproductive Functions of Male Mice

Studies on the beneficial effects of vitamins E and D supplementation on functions of caput and cauda epididymides, their spermatozoa, vas deferens and seminal vesicle of sodium fluoride (NaF) treated (10 mg/kg body weight) male mice (Mus musculus) were carried out. The NaF treatment resulted in significant decrease in the body and epididymis weight but those of vas deferens and seminal vesicle were not affected. NaF treatment brought about alterations in epididymal milieu as elucidated by the significant decrease in levels of sialic acid and protein as well as activity of ATPase in epididymides. As a result, the sperm maturation process was affected leading to a significant decline in cauda epididymal sperm motility and viability. This caused a significant reduction in fertility rate. The cauda epididymal sperm count was also significantly reduced. The data obtained suggest that fluoride treatment induced significant metabolic alterations in the epididymides, vas deferens and seminal vesicles of mice. The withdrawal of NaF treatment (30 days) produced incomplete recovery. On the other hand, sup-plementation of vitamins E or D during the withdrawal period of NaF treated mice was found to be very beneficial in recovery of all NaF induced effects, thus elucidating their ameliorative role in recovery from toxic effects of NaF on the reproductive functions and fertility. On the whole, a combination of vitamins E and D treatment was comparatively more effective than that with vitamin E or D alone. Therefore, vitamin therapy could be beneficial for the amelioration of fluoride induced changes in reproductive functions.