Influence of Fluoride Exposure on Hypothalamic Pitutary Gonadal Axis Hormones and Semen Quality

The main objective of the present study was to explore the influence of fluoride exposure on reproductive hormones in different stages of fluorosis. Since, fluoride has been reported to be a causative factor for reduced semen quality. However, limited scientific literature is available on this aspect of effect of fluoride on clinical samples. In the present study, we recruited 75 fluorotic patients (age 25-35) and categorize in three groups namely mild, moderate and severe. Each group was included 25 patients. The controls were selected from the Jaipur district, Rajasthan India, where fluoride content in ground water was <1.5ppm. Fasting blood samples was collected for the estimations of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone (TT) and prolactin. Semen samples were also collected for the investigation of sperm physiology. The results of the present study showed significantly (p<0.05) reduced semen volume, liquefaction time, viability, motility and semen viscosity in all groups of fluorotic patients as compared with the controls. On the other hand, we observed markedly (p<0.05) increased serum FSH and prolactin and decreased LH and testosterone levels as per the severity of disease. On the basis of results it may conclude that excessive fluoride exposure accelerate the severity of disease along with the altered hormonal profiles and reduced semen quality. A positive correlation was observed between fluoride, hypothalamic gonadal axis and semen quality.