Reproductive Toxic Effects of Ingestion of Sodium Fluoride in Female Rats

The objective of this study was to investigate the toxic effects of different concentrations of sodium fluoride (200, 400 and 600 ppm NaF), administered in drinking water for 30 days, on the reproductive system of adult female Sprague-Dawley rats. The rats in the two higher-dosed groups showed clinical signs of toxicity unlike those exposed to NaF at a concentration of 200 ppm. Ingestion of 200 ppm NaF had no effect on the pregnancy rate of the rats nor on the number of implantations. However, the number of viable fetuses was significantly lower than in the control group. Furthermore, the pregnant rats with resorptions and the total number of resorptions increased in the NaF-treated group. There was also a significant increase in maternal organ weights. Rats which had ingested NaF showed increases in both the absolute and relative weights of the ovaries and in the relative weights of the uterus and kidney. The maternal body weights and water consumption were significantly reduced in the treated rats. The results indicate that exposure of female rats to NaF in drinking water has adverse fetotoxic effects.