Effect of dietary sodium fluoride on growth and bone development in growing turkeys

Large White male turkeys were fed rations containing 0, 12.5, 25, 50, 100, 200, 400, and 800 ppm added fluoride (F) from sodium fluoride in a corn-soybean assay diet containing tricalcium phosphate and 3 to 5 ppm F. The 800 ppm treatment was discontinued at 8 weeks because of low weight gains and a high incidence of leg disorders. Turkeys receiving defluorinated phosphate (32% calcium, 18% phosphorus) had significantly higher 4-week body weights than turkeys receiving tricalcium phosphate. Turkeys fed 0, 400, and 800 ppm F had significantly lower body weights at 8 weeks than turkeys fed 50 ppm F. A similar weight pattern was seen at 18 weeks, although the differences were not statistically significant. Based on growth response in this study, a requirement of 20 ppm F is proposed. Increasing levels of dietary F resulted in large increases in tibia F. Removal of high dietary F in certain groups at 8 weeks resulted in growth recovery and reduction in tibia F by 18 weeks. Elevated plasma alkaline phosphatase activity was observed with added dietary F of 400 and 800 ppm. At 4 weeks, tibiae from turkeys receiving high F had a trend (not statistically significant) toward lower percentage ash and a significantly lower breaking strength than controls. Compared to controls, tibiotarsi from turkeys on high F rations were significantly shorter, had thinner cortices, and had a narrower proliferative zone of proximal growth plates. A high incidence of tibial dyschondroplasia was observed, but it was not correlated with dietary treatment.