Abstract
Industrial fluorosis and its effects on serum biochemistry and haemogram were investigated in cattle inhabiting fluoride (F) contaminated areas due to aluminium and fertilizer units situated at Eloor industrial belt of Ernakulam district of Kerala, India. A total of 119 cattle above 3-year-old examined clinically for evidence of osteo-dental and non-skeletal fluorosis. Out of these 55 (46.22 %) animals showed clinical signs of lameness, dental lesions, bony exostoses, reproductive problems and gastro-intestinal disorders. The F level in the biological samples including plasma, urine, milk and bone of the industrial fluorosed cattle were significantly higher (P < 0.01) than the control animals. F content (ppm) in the environmental samples, forage, sludge and drinking water was also high (1.328 ± 0.294 to 251.700 ± 23.113) in the study areas. Biochemical analysis of serum revealed significant decrease (P < 0.01) of serum calcium, albumin, total protein content but increased value of serum alkaline phosphatase and inorganic phosphorus was seen in the affected animals. Total erythrocyte count, haemoglobin and packed cell volume were significantly (P < 0.01) decreased in such animals. Differential leucocyte count showed neutrophilia, lymphocytopenia, monocytophenia and eosinophilia. No significant changes were noticed in the total erythrocyte count, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration. Changes in the serum biochemistry and haemogram could be used for diagnosis of fluorosis in bovines where clinical signs of osteo-dental fluorosis are not evident or poorly discernible.
Published Version
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