Effects of Sodium Fluoride on the Morphological Structure of the Epididymis and the Expression of Tight Junction Genes

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of fluoride on epididymal morphological structure and mRNA expression of tight junction genes.60 healthy male mice were divided into four groups randomly, including control group (distilled water) and 25,50,100 mg NaF/L groups, respectively. After 60 days, the thighbones were collected and fluoride contents were determined by fluorine ion selective electrode method. Paraffin slides of right epididymis with HE stain were produced to evaluate epididymal morphological structure under light microscope. The left epididymis were collected to isolate total RNA and detect the mRNA expression of tight junction genes by qRT-PCR. The results showed that the fluoride contents of thighbones increased in a dose-dependent manner, and were extremely significantly higher in 50 and 100 mg/L groups than those in control group (P<0.01).NaF extremely significantly increased the thickness of cauda epididymal pipe wall in fluoride groups (P<0.01) and the Claudin-2 mRNA expressions in fluoride groups were extremely significantly decreased (P<0.01) and the ZO-1 mRNA expression in 100 mg/L group was significantly decreased (P<0.05) as compared with control group. In conclusion, excessive NaF ingestion adversely affected epididymal morphological structure and mRNA expressions of Claudin-2 and>ZO-1,which might contribute to the damage of blood-epididymal barrier.