Abstract: To assess brain cell apoptosis induced by fluoride in their offspring, 16 one-month old Wistar albino rats were divided randomly into two equal groups, each with six females and two males. The first group of rats served as the untreated controls; the second group received high fluoride(HiF) in their drinking water(100 mg/L NaF); After the animal model was established, the rats were allowed to breed, and 16 offspring rats in each group were randomly selected for the experiments. The treatment for these second and third generation rats was the same as for their parents. At 0, 10, 30, 60 and 90 days after birth, these offspring rats were anesthetized and their brain cells prepared for flow cytometry. In comparison with the controls, the percent of brain cell apoptosis in the offspring rats in fluoride groups was obviously higher, especially in third generation rats. In comparison with the second generation, brain cells apoptosis in different aged third generation rat was increased, especially at 10, 20, 60 and 90 days(P<0.05). These results indicate that fluoride can accumulate in different generation, and the longer the period sustained, the severer damage of the brain in offspring animal occurred. 

Key words: fluorosis; apoptosis; offspring rats; flow cytometry; generation accumulation