The effects of fluoride (F) on ectopic bone formation induced in rats by implants of demineralized cortical bone tissue were studied. Test rats received sodium fluoride (NaF), 6 mmol/liter in drinking water, and controls received fluoride-free water. Implant accumulations of tracer hydroxyproline ([3H](OH)P), 45Ca, and stable Ca were determined 24 h after injections of tritiated proline ([3H]P) and 45Ca, to estimate rates of collagen synthesis, mineralization, and net mineral mass, respectively. Conventional histology on undemineralized implant sections was done. Mineralized bone was first observed by implant histology, 2 weeks after implantation and continued to increase up to 8 weeks. A few chondrocytes were observed. Prior to bone formation, dense fibrous tissue was observed within the marrow space of the original implant. The rate of collagen synthesis peaked at 1 week, again at 3 weeks, and then continued at a slower rate up to 8 weeks. The rates of mineralization paralleled the rates of collagen synthesis between 2 and 8 weeks, indicating bone mineralization over this period. During the first 2 weeks after implantation no mineral deposition was observed. The initial peak of collagen synthesis without mineralization (0-2 weeks) indicates fibrous tissue formation and is in agreement with the histological analysis. Fluoride treatment increased rates of collagen synthesis during both the initial period of fibrous tissue formation and later bone formation. The ratio of mineralization rate to collagen synthesis rate (45Ca/[3H](OH)P) was decreased by fluoride throughout the 2-8 week period, but net mineral mass was comparable to control rats by 8 weeks, indicating that fluoride delays, but does not prevent, bone mineralization.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)