Hypothyroidism and Anemia Related to Fluoride in Dairy Cattle

Abstract

Blood and urine were collected from 72 cows in 6 dairy herds with varying severity of dental and bone fluorotic lesions. Urinary Fl- averaged 5.13 ppm and ranged from 1.04-15.7 ppm Fl-. Thyroxine and triiodothyronine in serum decreased with increasing urinary Fl-, eosinophils increased and cholesterol tended to decrease. Cattle afflicted with fluorosis developed hypothyroidism, anemia and eosinophilia of leukocytes. Bone ash averaged 2400 ppm Fl- in 22 specimens from 8 herds (range 850-6935 ppm Fl-). Mineral supplements were the main sources of excess Fl-. Fl- lesions were on some cows of all herds suggesting that Fl- may affect the health and performance of some cows in normal herds. Fl- lesions were on young cattle and calves in fluorosis herds.