The effects of different levels of fluoride in drinking water on different parameters of femurs and incisors of female rats were studied. Rats and their offspring, before and after weaning, were used for the study. Mother rats received 0, 1 and 5 ppm fluoride in drinking water. After weaning, the offspring were given the following treatments: 0-0, 0-1, 0-5, 1-0, 1-1, 1-5, 5-0, 5-1 and 5-5; the first number indicating fluoride level of mother\u27s water during mating, pregnancy and lactation and the second number indicating the fluoride level of water given to the offspring. Femurs and top and bottom incisors were collected from mother rats, 21 day old pups and 300g. body weight pups. Femurs were analysed for ash, calcium, phosphorus and fluoride content and breaking strength. Only fluoride analyses were done on incisors. Fluoride ion electrodes (Orion models 94-09 and 96-09) were used for fluoride analysis.
Mother rats that received 1 and 5 ppm of fluoride showed on increase in fluoride content of teeth. There was no increase in the fluoride content of weanling rat teeth suggesting that there was no maternal transfer of fluoride to the offspring.
A significant increase in fluoride content of femur and teeth of all the groups of 300g. offspring, that received 1 and 5 ppm of fluoride, was observed as compared to the control group (0-0). No significant differences in other femur parameters of 300 g. offspring were observed.
Significant differences in fluoride content of femurs and incisors of 300g. rat offspring were found due to pre and post-weaning fluoride treatments. Combined pre and post-weaning fluoride administration resulted in higher fluoride content of femurs and incisors.
At the levels used in this study, pre-weaning fluoride administration alone does not appear to affect the fluoride content of bone and teeth of the rat offspring, but fluoride, when given ofter weaning does contribute to the increased fluoride content of bone and teeth
