Rat developmental fluoride exposure affects retention memory, leads to a depressive-like behavior, and induces biochemical changes in offspring rat brains

BARTOS, MARIANA; GUMILAR, FERNANDA; BAIER, CARLOS J.; DOMINGUEZ, SERGIO; BRAS, CRISTINA; CANCELA, LILIANA M.; MINETTI, ALEJANDRA; GALLEGOS, CRISTINA E.

NEUROTOXICOLOGY

ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV

Año: 2022 vol. 93 p. 222 - 222

0161-813X

ater is the principal source of human exposure to fluoride (F). The high permeability of the placenta and blood-brain barrier to F during the intrauterine life up to the end of lactation may be crucial to neurological fetus development. Therefore, this study explores the effects of 5 and 10 mg/l F exposure during entire gestation and lactation periods, through neurobehavioral and biochemical tests performed on 90-day-old male offspring rats. The present study shows that pre and peri-natal exposure to F doses that are in the range of those found in groundwater sources in Argentina affects long-term memory and leads to a depressive-like behavior in 90-day-old male pup. Furthermore, the purpose of the investigation was to find out the possible biochemical changes through which the pre and peri-natal F-administration could generate such behavioral variations. We found alterations in transaminases, acetylcholinesterase, and alkaline phosphatase enzymes activity in specific brain areas (the