EFFECTS OF VITAMIN-C AND CALCIUM ON THE REVERSIBILITY OF FLUORIDE-INDUCED ALTERATIONS IN SPERMATOZOA OF RABBITS

The present study was designed to investigate the effects of fluoride on the metabolism and functions of cauda epididymal spermatozoa of rabbits. The studies on reversibility of fluoride-induced effects by fluoride withdrawal, Vitamin C (ascorbic acid, AA) or Calcium (Ca+2) and combined AA + CA+2 ingestion were also investigated. Adult Male rabbits, Group II and III, were fed 20 and 40 mg/kg body weight sodium fluoride, respectively, for 30 days. Afterwards, cauda epididymal spermatozoa were obtained by micropuncture technique. Alterations in the activities of some specific androgen-dependent enzymes on sperm namely, ATPase, ACP, SDH, and protein, as well as reduction in Na+ and K+ levels in the spermatozoa, might be due to altered and hostile internal milieu of the epididymis in NaF-treated rabbits. Reduction in sperm motility, count, and changes in their morphology and metabolism led to the significant decline in fertility of the treated animals. After withdrawal of NaF treatment for 30 days (Group IV), no recovery was obtained in all the parameters which were altered, including fertility rates. During the withdrawal period, AA or Ca+2 and combined AA + Ca+2 were administered to Groups V, VI, and VII, respectively. With both AA or Ca+2 marked recovery occurred from all induced effects. The extent of recovery, however, was somewhat more pronounced by AA treatment than that brought about by Ca+2 administration during the withdrawal period. The combined treatment with AA + Ca+2 manifested a synergistic effect for recovery of all parameters. The effects of fluoride are therefore transient and reversible, in agreement with earlier data. Moreover, AA and Ca+2 have therapeutic importance in fluorotic animals. These findings have a direct bearing on human subjects exposed to high fluoride levels.