The effect of waterborne fluoride on the egg production of laying hens

Abstract

One thousand Silver Grey Hyline hens were given drinking water containing 6, 10, 14 and 20 mg/ /G6C sodium fluoride during their laying period. The control group received municipal water (containing 0.29 mg//G6C fluoride) with no added sodium fluoride (0 mg//G6C). Fluoride addition to the water had a significant effect (P = 0.0001) on egg production, but eggshell breaking strength was not significantly influenced. At the termination of the study (74 weeks of age) the carcass mass and the fluoride content of the os femur showed a significant increase (P = 0.0001) which correlated with the increase in fluoride concentration in the water. No important microscopic changes in the livers and kidneys were noticed, and liver mass and breaking strength of the os femur were unaffected by the amount of fluoride consumed. The data showed a significant drop in egg production at 6 and 20 mg//G6C sodium fluoride.

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