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Published on: February 6, 2018
Ultrastructural studies of spermiogenesis in rabbit exposed to chronic fluoride toxicity
1Department of Anatomy, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.
Objective:
To address the role of fluoride in causing defects to spermatids and epididymal spermatozoa.
Methods:
Male rabbits were treated with 10 mg NaF/kg body weight daily for 18 months and maintained under identical laboratory conditions along with the control rabbits not given NaF. Testis and epididymis (caput) were investigated for ultrastructural details of spermatids and spermatozoa.
Results:
A wide variety of structural defects were observed in the flagellum, the acrosome, and the nucleus of the spermatids and epididymal spermatozoa of fluoride-treated rabbits. Abnormalities included absence of outer microtubules, complete absence of axonemes, structural and numeric aberrations of outer dense fibers, breakdown of the fibrous sheath, and structural defects in the mitochondria of the middle piece of the flagellum. Detachment and peeling off of the acrosome from the flat surfaces of the nucleus were also observed.
Conclusion:
The abnormalities observed render the sperm nonfunctional and ineffective, and thus there is a possible role of fluoride in causing infertility.
Insights
Fluoride exposure caused significant structural defects in rabbit sperm, including flagellum, acrosome, and nucleus abnormalities. These sperm defects suggest fluoride may play a role in causing male infertility.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Toxicology
- Environmental Health
Background:
- Fluoride is a common environmental contaminant.
- Spermatozoa are critical for male fertility.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the ultrastructural effects of fluoride on spermatids and epididymal spermatozoa.
- To determine the potential role of fluoride in male infertility.
Main Methods:
- Male rabbits were administered 10 mg sodium fluoride (NaF)/kg body weight daily for 18 months.
- Testis and epididymis (caput) tissues were examined for ultrastructural sperm defects.
- Control rabbits received no NaF treatment.
Main Results:
- Fluoride-treated rabbits exhibited widespread structural abnormalities in spermatids and spermatozoa.
- Observed defects included issues with the flagellum, acrosome, nucleus, and mitochondria.
- Specific abnormalities included absent microtubules, axonemes, and fibrous sheath defects.
Conclusions:
- The observed sperm abnormalities render them nonfunctional and ineffective.
- Fluoride exposure is implicated as a potential cause of male infertility.
