Ultrastructural evaluation of oocytes during fluorosis in rat ovarian follicles

Shashi A Shashi A,Pragati Kaushal Pragati Kaushal

doi:10.30574/msabp.2020.1.1.0011

Abstract

Fluoride is a well-known environmental pollutant and its effect on human health has long been of interest to biomedical researchers. Various studies have shown that fluoride causes adverse effects on the fertility. Wistar albino female rats weighing 150-200 g were randomly divided into six rats in each group. The rats in experimental groups treated with 300 and 600 mg NaF/kg bw/day by oral gavage for 40 days. The present investigation focuses on the ovary of rat treated with sodium fluoride and its amelioration by curcumin. The results revealed that the sodium fluoride exposure to female rats treated with 300 mg NaF/kg bw/day, the surface epithelium had less number of ruffles and blebs of the plasma membrane. There was abrasion of ovarian surface epithelium. In rats treated with 600 mg/kg bw/day NaF, the cuboidal shape of the surface epithelium were changed into elongated appearance. The cells were devoid of microvilli, blebs and ruffles. After administration of curcumin, many follicles in different stages of development were visible. The ovarian surface epithelium showed normal surface epithelium with improvement in the shape of cuboidal cells.

Highlights

Chronic fluorosis is a slow and progressive process causing symptoms related to several systems, musculoskeletal and dental systems
There are number of studies in the literature regarding the toxic effects of sodium fluoride on the male reproductive system [15, 16, and 17] but reports of its effect on female reproductive system are few
The aim of the present investigation was to examine the ultrastructural alterations in the ovary of fluoridated rat using scanning electron microscopy and ameliorating effect of curcumin after fluoride administration

Summary

Introduction

Chronic fluorosis is a slow and progressive process causing symptoms related to several systems, musculoskeletal and dental systems. The literature indicates that sodium fluoride may have toxic effects on the brains of suckling mice [1], may impair learning and memory in rats [2, 3, and 4]. There are number of studies in the literature regarding the toxic effects of sodium fluoride on the male reproductive system [15, 16, and 17] but reports of its effect on female reproductive system are few. Most of these investigations, which were conducted with a number of different animal species, including rats, mice and rabbits, found alterations in the levels of reproductive hormones, fertility, histological structures and developmental outcomes [18, 19].

Material and methods

Results and discussion

Conclusion