Effects of Alternating Periods of High- and Low-Fluoride Ingestion on Dairy Cattle

Abstract

Two-and five-month old Holstein heifers were exposed to different intake patterns of dietary fluoride for 6 years. They were divided into five lots: Control, no fluoride supplement (I); continuous exposure to 1.5 mg F/kg body weight per day (II and IV); alternating exposure to ].5 mg F/kg for 6 months and control for 6 months (III); or 3.0 nag F/kg for 4 months and .75 mg F/kg for 8 months (V). The average yearly exposure of Lot was equal to Lots II and IV while that of Lot III was equal to half of this intake.