Impact of 12-week ingestion of sodium fluoride on aggression, sexual behavior, and fertility in adult male rats

Ingestion of sodium fluoride at 100 and 300 ppm in drinking water for 12 weeks by adult male Sprague-Dawley rats was investigated for effects on territorial aggression, sexual behavior, and fertility. Body weight and absolute and relative testes weights were not affected, but the average weights of epididymis, ventral prostate, seminal vesicles, and preputial glands decreased significantly, A significant decline of spermatogenesis in testes due to a decrease in the number of spermatocytes (primary and secondary) and spermatids in the treatment group is attributed to a significant decrease in testosterone. Sperm motility and density were also significantly decreased in the cauda epididymis and in testes in both NaF-treated groups. In addition, the treatment markedly diminished aggressive and sexual behavioral parameters such as lateralization, boxing bouts, and ventral presenting postures. It also prolonged the time to the first mount, increased the intromission latency, decreased the number of intromissions, prolonged the post-ejaculatory interval, and increased the number of fetal resorptions in female rats impregnated by these males, thereby reducing their fertility.