Hypocalcaemia in parental and F1 generation rats treated with sodium fluoride.

The potential of sodium fluoride (NaF) to affect serum cations was assessed in the parent (P) and F1 generation rats. The sperm-positive pregnant experimental female rats received 40 mg NaF/kg body weight from day 6 of gestation either up to 21 days of lactation or only up to gestation followed by withdrawal of the treatment during lactation. On day 21 of lactation, blood samples were collected from P and F1 generation rats, allowed to clot and centrifuged at 1000 g for 10 min to obtain serum for analysis of various cations. Statistically significant increases in the concentrations of sodium and potassium in the serum of P and F1 generation rats were observed in the NaF-treated group; however, calcium and phosphorus concentrations were significantly lower than their vehicle control. Withdrawal of NaF treatment during lactation caused significant recovery in sodium, potassium and phosphorus concentrations in P and F1 generation rats as compared with NaF-treated animals. Although statistically significant recovery was not observed, the calcium concentration in P and F1 generation rats was comparatively higher on withdrawal of NaF treatment than in the NaF-treated group. It is concluded that the exposure of 40 mg NaF/kg body weight in pregnant female rats caused significant alterations in cationic concentration which recovered significantly (except calcium) on withdrawal of the treatment.