Plasma biochemistry of adult goats with chronic fluoride poisoning in Morocco

In the center of Morocco, around the cities of Khouribga and Youssoufia, lies a vast zone in which intensive phosphate mining is done. These phosphates contain up to 5% fluorine, which contaminates natural waters and vegetables, and is ingested by animals and humans causing a very severe chronic fluorosis. Biochemical screening of goat plasma of the Darmous zone of Morocco where fluorosis is endemic showed mainly increases of potassium, phosphates, urea, bilirubin and GGT, while decreases of glucose, cholesterol, phospholipids, total proteins and gamma -globulins were observed. These changes are similar but less intense than those previously reported in cattle or sheep.