Effect of excessive dietary fluoride on nutrient digestibility and retention of iron, copper, zinc, and manganese in growing pigs

Biol Trace Elem Res. 2005 Nov;107(2):141-51. doi: 10.1385/BTER:107:2:141.

Abstract

Ninety-six crossbred growing pigs were used to evaluate the effects of fluoride levels on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and the retention of minerals in tissues. Four dietary treatments were formulated by supplementing fluorine (as NaF) to a corn-soybean basal diet (39.75 mg/kg F) to provide the following added fluorine levels: 0, 50, 100, and 150 mg/kg fluorine. The results showed pigs of the 100 and 150 mg/kg fluorine-added groups had decreased average daily gain (ADG) and increased feed gain ratio (F/G) compared to the control (p < 0.05). Apparent digestibility of protein and calcium in 100 and 150 mg/kg fluorine-treated groups was significantly lower than that of the control (p < 0.05). On the other hand, iron, copper, zinc, and manganese levels in most tissues of the 100 and 150 mg/kg fluorine groups were markedly changed compared to the control (p < 0.05). However, growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and mineral concentrations in all tissues of pigs were not significantly affected by the addition of 50 mg/kg fluorine (p > 0.05). Thus, this study suggested that excess fluoride levels could decrease growth performance and change the retention of iron, copper, zinc, and manganese in pigs.

MeSH terms

  • Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena*
  • Animals
  • Digestion*
  • Female
  • Fluorides / toxicity*
  • Male
  • Metals, Heavy / metabolism*
  • Random Allocation
  • Swine / growth & development*
  • Swine / metabolism*
  • Tissue Distribution

Substances

  • Metals, Heavy
  • Fluorides