The availability of fluoride from NaF and phosphorus supplements

The availability of fluoride (F) from dicalcium phosphate (DCP), defluorinated phosphate (DFP), and raw rock phosphate (RRP) has been assessed and compared to the availability of F as NaF. Diets containing 50-55 ppm F were fed to lambs and rats and skeletal F retention determined. The relative availability of F in the different phosphate sources measured by this technique compared to that of NaF was about 50% (DCP), 20% (DFP), and 65% (RRP). Digestibility of F in goats fed similar diets was determined in a 4 x 4 Latin Square design experiment and found to be 38% (DCP), 34% (DFP), 65% (RRP), and 75% (NaF).