Metabolic Changes Linked to Fluorosis in Cyprinus carpio

Fluorosis is a serious health problem in many parts of the world caused by excessive intake of fluoride present in water. Drinking water is the main carrier of fluoride. The most obvious effects of fluoride are dental and skeletal both are common in the areas with elevated fluorosis. Fluoride is also known to cross the cell membranes and enter the soft tissues. Soft tissue functions are impaired due to fluoride intoxication (Rzeuski et al. 1998; Sharma and Chinoy 1998).In addition fluoride also inhibits many enzymes involved in pentose phosphate pathway antioxidant defense system and myosin ATPase pathway (Park and Burghardt 1999; Vani and Reddy 2000). The original findings of fluoride effects on mammals were from studies in the field of domestic animals such as sheep (Moule 1944; Harvey 1952; Peirce 1952) and cattle (Rand and Schmidt 1952; Neeley & Harbaugh 1954; Burns & Allcroft 1964 Allcroft & Burns 1968; Krook and Maylin 1979). More recent studies are going on this area (Swarup et al. 1998; Choubisa 1999; Patra et al. 2000). Other effects include lowered milk production and illeffects on reproductive capacity of animals.