Journal of Dental Research, Vol 65, 1341-1345, Copyright © 1986 by International & American Associations for Dental Research Online Journals
Prenatal fluoride exposure: measurement of plasma levels and enamel uptake in the guinea pig
P. R. Parker and J. W. Bawden
Department of Pediatric Dentistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, School of Dentistry 27514.
This study measured the effects of variations in the maternal fluoride
intake on changes in maternal plasma, fetal plasma, and fetal enamel
fluoride levels of near-term guinea pig pups. Pregnant sows were divided
randomly into one of three groups whose drinking water was either
de-ionized or contained 5 ppm or 20 ppm fluoride supplied ad libitum. At
approximately 55 days' gestation, maternal and fetal plasma and fetal
enamel samples were collected and assayed for fluoride. Results showed an
increase in mean fluoride concentration for maternal plasma from the
de-ionized to the 20-ppm group. Mean fetal plasma fluoride concentrations
were lower at baseline and increased much less than did maternal plasma
levels. Mean fetal enamel concentrations increased in a fashion similar to
that of the maternal plasma levels and exhibited significant differences
among all groups.
