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Show Fluorine Determinations in Mineral Supplements Fed to Poultry By JOS. K. NICHOLES and D. A. BUTLERI It has been shown that fluorine as it occurs in some minerals produces physiological effects when consumed by chickens at certain feed levels. Some symptoms which have been reported as a result of fluorosis in chicks are: marked decrease in food consumption; retarded growth rate; extreme emaci ation and death. Laying hens receiving toxic amounts of fluorine have shown a very perceptible falling off in food consumption, loss of egg production, and diarrhea. It has also been noted that eggs laid by hens receiving this in their diet have a high fluorine content, the amount being somewhat proportional to the intake. The annual loss of laying hens in Utah is about 33 to 37%. Is it possible that fluorine in the mineral supplements is directly or indirectly a factor in this high mortality? With this problem in mind an analysis was made of various mineral sup plements being fed in the State. Determinations were made on oragonite from different sources, calcite, oyster shell, Pilsbry's seed-shells (Sphaerium pilsbryanum Sterki), granite grits, egg shells, bone, and blue limestone. The method employed was that of Willard and Winter with modifica tions. In this procedure the fluorine is separated from interferring substances by distilling with perchloric acid at 1350 C and titrating an aliquot of the distillate in an alcoholic solution against thorium nitrate, using sodium alizorine sulfonate as indicator. Of the minerals being used as poultry supplements considerable variation was found in fluorine content. Even in the same mineral obtained from dif ferent natural deposits varations occur. The fluorine content of these minerals ranged from 130 to 820 part per million. In view of the fact that poultry can tolerate more of fluorine than can some other animal species it is a question if there is sufficient fluorine in any of these supplements to be directly toxic. However, since cumulative effects apparently do exist and since there is evidence of antagonistic action between fluorides and certain other substances the possibility remains that the element is a contributing factor to some of the numerous poultry diseases. Professor and Graduate Student, Department of Chemistry, versity, Provo. Utah. 49 Brigham Young Uni |
