Studies on Enzootic Fluorosis in Cattle with Special Reference to Mottled Teeth

Abstract

1. In areas where fluorosis has become enzootic, cattle ingest fluorine from drinking water rich in fluorides. In general, feed contain from 2 to 30 ppm of natural fluorine.
2. Development of mottled teeth in cattle varies with ingestion levels, age at the time of ingestion; duration of ingestion, individuality, etc. It seems that mottled teeth come out through the ingestion of at least 0.5 to 0.6ppm of fluorine contained in drinking water.
3. Mottled teeth were observed in about 50 per cent of calves drinking water containing from 0.6 to 5.0 ppm of fluorine in the stage of development of permanent teeth.
4. Many cattle with mottled teeth were auscultated with abnormal cardiac sounds-splitting and doubling-more frequently than cattle with normal teeth.
5. The amount of fluorine excreted in the urine reflected relative levels of fluorine ingested. Fluorine contents in the urine were higher in cattle absorbing an excessive amount of fluoride than in normal cattle. Fluorine contents up to 5 ppm are normal.
6. The areas where fluorosis is enzootic have no relations to so-colled “Kuwazu” or “Kuiyami” disease, or anoretic disease, of cattle.
7. Calves raised in fluorosis prevailing areas are often found to have mottled teeth.