Drinking water is the main route of fluoride (F) exposure. In the Chaco-Pampean region, rural and peri-urban aquifers often have elevated F, posing health risks. F crosses the placenta and is present in maternal milk; developmental exposure has been linked to neurobehavioral alterations in rat offspring, though mechanisms remain unclear.
We evaluated behavior and blood biochemical parameters in 45-day-old female offspring exposed to 10 mg/L F during gestation and lactation. Sociability was assessed using the Three-Chamber Social Test and Reciprocal Social Interaction, and obsessive-compulsive–like behavior with the Marble Burying Test. Serum levels of glucose, urea, creatinine, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and the activity of alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase, creatine kinase, and the transaminases GOT and GPT were determined using enzymatic and UV-kinetic methods.
F exposure induced significant metabolic alterations, including increased glucose and cholesterol and reduced enzymatic biomarkers. Trends toward decreased sociability and increased obsessive-compulsive–like behavior were observed but were not statistically significant.
These results highlight the relevance of metabolic disruptions in developmental F toxicity and the need for further research on neurobehavioral effects. Raising awareness of F toxicity during pre- and postnatal development is essential for promoting safe drinking water, particularly during pregnancy and lactation.