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Effects of Fluoridated Water on Pineal Morphology in Male Rats

Mrvelj, Aaron A.
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ysu1504011443448804

Abstract Details

2017, Master of Science in Biological Sciences, Youngstown State University, Department of Biological Sciences and Chemistry.
The pineal gland is a naturally calcifying endocrine organ which produces and releases the sleep-promoting hormone melatonin which also serves as an antioxidant. Fluoride is attracted to the calcium in the pineal gland and inhibits the synthesis and activity of melatonin, induces oxidative stress, and causes cellular changes to the neurons of the hippocampus. Morphological changes to the pineal gland have been demonstrated with increased age, exposure to light during a melatonin production period, or sleep deprivation. This study sought to examine the effects of fluoridated water on the morphology of the pineal gland. The effects of a fluoride-free flush were compared to fluoride treatment. Group 1, previously raised on fluoridated tap water served as a control that was sacrificed at the onset of the experiment. The remaining four groups were then subjected to a four-week fluoride-free diet with Group 2 being sacrificed at the end of this period. Group 3 was maintained on fluoride-free food and water while Groups 4 and 5 were switched to fluoridated water for the remaining four weeks. The fluoride-free flush resulted in an increase in the number of supporting cells and pinealocytes and a decrease in the nuclear diameter of pinealocytes, suggesting that the flush encouraged growth of the gland. Fluoride treatment had no effect on the number of supporting cells, but decreased the number of pinealocytes and their nuclear diameter, suggesting that fluoride is detrimental to the pineal gland.
Mark Womble, PhD (Advisor)
Jill Tall, PhD (Committee Member)
Jeffrey Coldren, PhD (Committee Member)
69 p.
Biology
pineal; fluoride; morphology; melatonin

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Mrvelj, A. A. (2017). Effects of Fluoridated Water on Pineal Morphology in Male Rats [Master's thesis, Youngstown State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ysu1504011443448804

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Mrvelj, Aaron. Effects of Fluoridated Water on Pineal Morphology in Male Rats. 2017. Youngstown State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ysu1504011443448804.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Mrvelj, Aaron. "Effects of Fluoridated Water on Pineal Morphology in Male Rats." Master's thesis, Youngstown State University, 2017. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ysu1504011443448804

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ysu1504011443448804
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© 2017, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Youngstown State University and OhioLINK.