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Virginia Tech

Tooth lesions and fluoride content in teeth, bones and antlers of mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus)

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

Mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) from the US Air Force Academy (USAF A) at Colorado Springs, Colorado have shown antler fractures and tooth lesions. Brittle bones and tooth lesions have been associated with high ingestion of fluorides. The present study compared prevalence and severity of tooth lesions with fluoride content in teeth, bones and antlers of mule deer from USAF A with deer from other two areas in Colorado. Mule deer tissues were collected during 1993-1995 from: USAF A (N=262), Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site (pCMS, N=24), and game management units (GMU's) in northwestern Colorado (N=16). The severity of tooth lesions was rated using a 0 (normal) to 5 (severe hypoplasia) scale. In all areas the median lesion score was 1; the highest score in USAFA was 5 vs. 3 in the other areas. Median fluodide concentrations (Jlg/g d.w.) were higher (p<0.002) in second incisors and bones of mule deer collected at the USAFA (669.9, N=246 incisors, 744.5, N=247 bones) than in deer from PCMS (507.3; 494.7, N=24) and GMU's (426.2,466.2, N=16), respectively. Within the USAF A, median fluoride concentrations in teeth and bones were lower (P<O. 001) in fawns and yearlings than in older animals and in males (> I. 5 years) than in females. Median fluoride concentrations were lower (P<O. 001) in deciduous than in permanent teeth. Median concentrations of fluoride were higher (P<O.OO1) in non-erupted teeth than in deciduous teeth and bone indicating a high rate of accumulating fluoride in growing hard tissue. Fluoride concentration was higher (P<O. 00 1) in teeth with lesions than without lesions.

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Master of Science
Level thesis:degree_level
masters
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Wildlife Sciences
Department dc:contributor.department
Wildlife Sciences
Grantor dc:publisher
Virginia Tech
Year dc:date.issued
1995

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Borrero D., Luz Mercedes
Chair dc:contributor.committeechair
  • Scanlon, Patrick F.
Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember
  • Ehrich, Marion F.
  • Fraser, James D.
  • Kirkpatrick, Roy L.
  • Vaughan, Michael R.

Subjects

dc:subject × 6

Rights

dc:rights
Statement dc:rights
  • In Copyright
Language dc:language.iso
en

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Dc Identifier Other
etd-06232009-063517
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/43456

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Virginia Tech
Base URL
vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/oai/request
Last updated
2026-07-22
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Borrero D., Luz Mercedes. Tooth lesions and fluoride content in teeth, bones and antlers of mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus). masters thesis, Virginia Tech, 1995. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/43456