The effect of dietary sodium fluoride on internal organs, breast muscle, and bones in captive American kestrels (Falco sparverius).

In 1982, 29 7-day-old American kestrel (Falco sparverius) chicks from captive stock were randomly assigned to one of three dietary regimens: (1) 10 birds were fed daily with cockerel mash (0 ppm of F-: control birds); (2) 10 birds were fed daily with cockerel mash containing 1,120 ppm of F-; (3) 9 birds were fed daily with cockerel mash containing 2,240 ppm of F-. Growth of the kestrels was not significantly affected by NaF in their diet. No significant differences were found among the 3 groups for length of duodenum, jejunum and ileum. Rectum was longer as more fluoride was added to the diet. Weights of adrenals, brain, gizzard, spleen, heart, kidneys, liver, pancreas, and pectoral muscle were not significantly affected by treatment, although kidneys, spleen and adrenals tended to become lighter. Percent bone ash was significantly (P less than 0.05) increased, while bone breaking strength was significantly (P less than 0.05) decreased by treatment.