Calcium and Phosphorus Content of Ash of Bones and Teeth of Human Fetuses in Relation to Fluoride Content of Drinking Water. ∗

Summary

The calcium and phosphorus contents of the ash of femora, mandibles and teeth were determined in 230 fetuses, aged 5–9 months, in areas supplied by drinking water containing about 0.1 ppm F (low), 0.5–0.6 ppm F (medium) and about 1 ppm F (high). Significant differences in the mean calcium content of bone and tooth ash, depending upon fluoride intake of the mother during pregnancy from the drinking water, without any change in the mean phosphorus content, were demonstrated. In the low-fluoride area the mean calcium content of the bone and tooth ash of the younger fetuses was lower than was found in the older fetuses, whereas in medium- and high-fluoride areas no such difference was found. The observed differences in Ca/P ratios of the hard tissues of the fetus may possibly be due to the different constitution of the precipitated apatitic calcium phosphates.