Effect of fluoride exposure on sex hormone binding globulin and estradiol in adult female

Abstract

Objective To explore the influence of water fluoride exposure on sex hormone binding globulin(SHBG) and estradiol(E2) in adult female Methods Cross-sectional study was conducted in seven villages of Tongxu county including two high fluoride groups (HFG),two defluoridation project groups(DFPG) and three control groups (CG) based on the fluoride concentration in drinking water.Adult female who was born and groun in the villages or lived for more than 5 years and aged 18-48 years old were recruited using cluster sampling.Fasting venous blood,drinking water and morning urine samples were collected.The fluoride levels in drinking water and urine were detected by fluoride-ion selective electrode method.Serum SHBG level was determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).The chemical luminescence immune analysis method was used to detect serum E2 concentration.Results The fluoride levels in drinking water were 2.44,0.36 and 0.37 mg/L in HFG,DFPG and CG,respectively.The fluoride levels in drinking water were significantly different among the three groups(F =12.289,P ＜ 0.01).The fluoride level in drinking water in HFG was significantly higher than those in DFPG and CG(all P ＜ 0.05).The fluoride levels in urine were 2.58,1.45 and 0.96 mg/L in HFG,DFPG and CG,respectively.The fluoride levels in urine were significantly different among the three groups(F =130.418,P ＜ 0.05).The fluoride level in urine in HFG was significantly higher than those in DFPG and CG (all P ＜ 0.01).The fluoride level in urine in DFPG was significantly higher than that in CG(P ＜ 0.01).Serum SHBG levels were 41.63,50.68 and 57.19 nmol/L in HFG,DFPG and CG,respectively.Serum SHBG levels were significantly different among the three groups (F =3.806,P ＜ 0.05).Serum SHBG level in HFG was significantly lower than that in CG (P ＜ 0.01).Serum E2 levels were 54.29,75.57 and 75.00 nmol/L in HFG,DFPG and CG,respectively.Serum E2 levels were significantly different among the three groups (F =5.481,P ＜ 0.05).Serum E2 level in HFG was significantly lower than those in DFPG and CG(all P ＜ 0.01).Serum E2 level in HFG was negatively correlated with age (r =-0.224,P ＜ 0.01),which was not found in DFPG and CG.Conclusions Long-time fluorine exposure may affect serum SHBG and E2 levels in adult female. Key words: Fluorine; Sex hormone binding globulin; Estradiol