Abstract:

The experiment was conducted with the objective of examining the effect of dietary high fluorine on the antioxidant function and ultrastructure of liver in chickens. Three hundred onedayold Avian chickens were randomly divided into four groups, and fed on diets as follows: controls(F 23 mg·kg1) and high fluorine (F 400 mg·kg1，high fluorine group Ⅰ；F 800 mg·kg1, high fluorine group Ⅱ；F 1 200 mg·kg1, high fluorine group Ⅲ) for 42 days. The liver and serum superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities were decreased（P<0.01 or P<0.05）,and the malondialdehyde and free fatty acid contents were increased（P<0.01 or P<0.05）in high fluorine groups Ⅱ and Ⅲ in comparison with those of control group. Ultrastructure of hepatocyte was changed in high fluorine groups Ⅱ and Ⅲ, and the number of hepatocyte glycogen pellets were obviously decreased. The mitochondria were enlarged and its crista broken or/and disappeared. The endoplasmic reticulum was dilated. The results showed that dietary fluorine in 800—1 200 mg·kg1 decreased hepatic antioxidant function and damaged hepatocytes. The hepatic function was finally impaired in chickens.

Key words: high fluorine, liver, antioxidant function, ultrastructure, chickens