We investigated diverse groups of fish species to determine whether the fluorine (F) contents of the dental hard tissues were related. to baseline serum F levels. Serum samples, enameloid, dentin, ganoid/enamel, and bone were analyzed for F by either electron microprobe or wet chemistry. Species were categorized into two groups based on the F content of the enameloid. One group contained greater than 2.6 wt% F in enameloid, whereas the other group had less than 0.45 wt% F in enameloid. The dentin and bone from all species (or, in skates, the cartilage), as well as the ganoid/enamel layer of a Holostean fish (alligator gar), showed consistently low F content. In those species whose teeth developed in sequential rows, the F content of enameloid increased with progressive tooth development. The serum F levels of all fish were below 0.05 μg F/mL (2.63 μmol/L) and were not significantly related to the F content of the enameloid. The results substantiate the idea that F incorporation into enameloid is related to fish phylogeny, not food or habitat. It is suggested that specialized outer dental epithelial cell configurations may facilitate the incorporation of F into enameloid.
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