FLUORIDE TOXICITY IN THE TESTIS AND CAUDA EPIDIDYMIS OF GUINEA-PIG AND REVERSAL BY ASCORBATE

Effects of sodium fluoride (NaF) (30 mg kg(-1) body weight) and ascorb ic acid ingestion along with sodium fluoride for 30 days each were stu died to evaluate its as an ameliorative agent on functions of organs a nd spermatozoa of the fluorotic guinea pig. The cauda epididymal sperm atozoa were highly sensitive to the effects of sodium fluoride as thei r structural and metabolic alterations led to marked decreases in thei r motility, live:dead ratio and sperm mitochondrial activity index but increases in sperm abnormalities and alterations in sperm membrane ph ospholipids, particularly phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidyl serine . The activities of ATPase and succinate dehydrogenase as well as glut athione levels were decreased in testis by sodium fluoride treatment, revealing disturbances in its metabolism. However, testicular choleste rol was not affected. Ingestion of ascorbic acid led to the enhancemen t in the levels of these parameters almost to control levels. These re sults reveal the ameliorative role of ascorbic acid in mitigation of f luoride-induced toxicity on guinea pig sperm structure and metabolism.