Since the mid 1940s, fluoride has been added to tap water in American commu
nities in an effort to reduce the incidence of dental caries in the populat
ion. When the levels of fluoride in drinking water were tested and set, wat
er was the only measurable source of fluoride for most communities. Now, ad
ults and children ingest fluoride with foods and beverages prepared with fl
uoridated water, and they are exposed to fluoride-containing dental product
s. As a result, exposure to fluoride is greater than had been anticipated.
In the early 1990s, the existing reproductive studies were reviewed in seve
ral reports and were considered to be inadequate to determine potential rep
roductive or developmental hazards. The effects of sodium fluoride ingestio
n at 0, 25, 100, 175 or 250 ppm in drinking water measured in rats througho
ut three generations are reported here. Feed and fluid consumption, body we
ights and clinical signs were recorded at regular intervals. Decreased flui
d consumption observed at 175 and 250 ppm was attributed to decreased palat
ability and did not affect reproduction. No cumulative effects were observe
d in the three generations. Mating, fertility and survival indices were not
affected. organ-to-body-weight ratios and organ-to-brain weight ratios wer
e not affected. Sodium fluoride up to 250 ppm did not affect reproduction i
n rats. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.