Environmental Toxicity of Sodium Fluoride on Fertility in Male Rats and the Protective Role of Inulin Extract

The aim of this work to investigate the effects of sodium fluoride (NaF) on male reproductive function and evaluate the protective effects of inulin against sodium fluoride (NaF) induced male reproductive toxicity in adult male albino rats. In this study, forty adult male albino rats were used, they were divided randomly into four groups: a control group (1), which was given distilled water, and three treatment groups, which was received daily oral doses of; sodium fluoride (10 mg/kg.b.w.) of group (2), inulin (10 mg/kg) + sodium fluoride (10 mg/kg) of group (3), and inulin (10 mg/kg.b.w.) of group (4) for 3 months. The sperm quality, complete sperm motility, morphology and sperm count were assessed. The levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol (E2), testosterone (T), and progesterone (P) were used as indicators of male reproductive health. The whole testis tissues isolated was used for histopathological studies. The results showed that sodium fluoride induces severe toxic changes in the male reproductive system and inulin could provide these toxic effects.