[Effect of fluoride on proliferation and differentiation in rat and mouse embryo bud cell in vitro]

The effect of fluoride on differentiation and proliferation of rat and mouse embryo limb bud cell were studied with micromass cultures in vitro. Embryo limb bud cells of rat (13-day) and mouse (12-day) were subjected to culture for 5 days. The results showed that fluoride could inhibit differentiation of cells without affecting cells proliferation. The concentrations of 50% inhibition of cell differentiation (ID50) were 6.8 micrograms/ml(rat) and 7.3 micrograms/ml(mouse). The concentrations of 50% inhibitions of cell proliferation (IP50) were 44.1 micrograms/ml (rat) and 63.6 micrograms/ml (mouse). The IP/ID50 values 6.4(rat) and 8.7 (mouse) were both greater than 5. According to the assessment criteria of Flint and Cheng Wanrong, the fluoride may be an embryo limb bud cells specific inhibitor. It could have potent teratogenicity.