Time-dependent effect of ground water fluoride on motility, abnormality and antioxidant status of spermatozoa: An in vitro study

The present study was undertaken to investigate the toxic effect of ground water fluoride (F) on motility, abnormality, and antioxidant status of spermatozoa. Treatment of ground water F with epididymal sperm suspension caused complete loss of sperm motility and decrease in the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) and increase in the concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) and abnormality of spermatozoa at 15 and 30 min time intervals. Further, incubation of spermatozoa with ground water F for 5, 10, and 15 min time intervals significantly reduced the sperm motility and activities of SOD and CAT and increased the concentration of MDA and abnormality of spermatozoa. The study revealed that F-induced effect on sperm motility and antioxidant status is time dependent. Increase in oxidative stress and concomitant decrease in motility of spermatozoa in ground water F clearly indicates that F-induced oxidative stress affected the sperm motility. The present study for the first time demonstrated the toxic effect of ground water F on spermatozoa at shorter duration of exposure, which affects the capability of spermatozoa in fertilization.