Impact of prepartum dietary phosphorus intake on calcium homeostasis at parturition

Acidified diet is not effective in preventing hypocalcemia in dairy cows on French commercial farms

The objective of this study was to assess, in the context of typical dairy farms in western France, the preventive effects of prepartum diet acidification (AcD) and mineral intake during late gestation on the incidence of subclinical hypocalcemia (SHC) and subclinical hypophosphatemia (SHP) after calving. We conducted a longitudinal study that followed a cohort of 371 Holstein cows from 26 French dairy farms; of these, 235 cows (15 farms) were supplied with anionic salts during late gestation, and 136 cows (11 farms) were not. Blood samples were collected from 1 to 22 cows per farm (average of 14.3 cows per farm) between 24 and 48 h after calving. Total calcium and inorganic phosphorus concentrations in plasma were then quantified by inductively coupled plasma - optical emission spectrometry. The effects of AcD on the incidence of SHC and SHP were assessed using mixed linear models that evaluated the cow-level factors parity, milk yield index, and individual health events/treatments, and the farm-level factors diet calcium and magnesium content, dietary phosphorus intake, vitamin D supply, diet crude protein content, and duration of AcD, with farm as a random effect. Approximately 55% of cows were diagnosed with SHC (calcium < 2.0 mmol/l, n = 203) and 37% with SHP (inorganic phosphorus < 1.3 mmol/l, n=136). The first model confirmed earlier findings that the risk of SHC is higher with increased parity (P ≤ 0.0001) and revealed a higher risk associated with high milk yield (P = 0.0005), high phosphorus intake (40–60 g/cow per day, OR = 3.5; ≥ 60 g/cow per day, OR = 7.3; P = 0.0003) and high vitamin D supply (≥ 19950 IU/cow per day, OR = 3, P = 0.007). The second model highlighted a greater risk of SHP with increasing parity (P = 0.03) and showed trends for the preventive effects of AcD (OR = 0.4, P = 0.07) and moderate amounts of phosphorus in the diet (OR = 0.4, P = 0.10). Overall, our results do not support the effectiveness of AcD in preventing SHC or SHP under field conditions examined here, probably resulting from insufficient diet acidification.

Ursache, Verbreitung und evidenzbasierte Therapie sowie Prävention der peripartalen Hypokalzämie

Die peripartale Hypokalzämie ist eine weit verbreitete Stoffwechselstörung, dessen klinische Form etwa 7 % der Milchkühe und dessen subklinische Form fast jede 2. multipare Kuh betrifft. Obwohl sich hinsichtlich Diagnostik und Therapie in den letzten 30 Jahren kaum etwas verändert hat, herrscht bei Landwirten und Tierärzten Unklarheit über die Prävalenz und den Risikozeitraum dieser Stoffwechselstörung. Darüber hinaus gibt es sehr unterschiedliche Angaben darüber, wieviel Kalzium einer Kuh mit klinischer Hypokalzämie substituiert werden sollte. Ziel dieses Übersichtsartikels ist es, die Entstehung und Verbreitung von Hypokalzämie evidenzbasiert darzustellen. Des Weiteren werden die Ergebnisse älterer und neuer Studien zusammengefast, mit dem Ziel eine möglichst genaue Empfehlung zur Behandlung von klinischer Hypokalzämie zu geben. Da in einer 2017 durchgeführten Studie gezeigt wurde, dass der überwiegende Teil deutscher Milchviehbetriebe keine Prophylaxe gegen Hypokalzämie betreibt, werden in dem letzten Teil dieser Arbeit die verschiedenen Prophylaxekonzepte, unter Berücksichtigung der aktuellen Literatur, dargestellt.

Effects of restricted dietary phosphorus supply to dry cows on periparturient calcium status

Restricted dietary P supply to transition dairy cows has recently been reported to beneficially affect the Ca balance of periparturient cows. The objective of the present study was to determine whether this effect on the Ca balance can be reproduced when limiting the P-restricted feeding to the last 4 wk of gestation. A total of 30 dairy cows in late pregnancy were randomly assigned to a dry cow diet with either low or adequate P content (0.16 and 0.30% P in DM, respectively) to be fed in the 4 wk before expected calving. After calving, all cows received the same lactating cow ration with adequate P content (0.46% P in DM). Blood was collected daily from 4 d antepartum until calving, at calving (d 0), 6 and 12 h after calving (d +0.25 and d +0.5, respectively) and on days +1, +2, +3, +4 and +7 relative to calving. Blood gas analyses were conducted to determine the concentration of ionized Ca in whole blood ([Ca²⁺]), and plasma was assayed for concentrations of inorganic phosphorus ([Pi]), total calcium, parathyroid hormone ([PTH]), 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D ([1,25-(OH)₂D₃]), and CrossLaps ([CTX]), a biomarker for bone resorption (Immunodiagnostic Systems GmbH). Repeated-measures ANOVA was conducted to study treatment, time, and lactation number effects. The mean [Ca²⁺] in P-deprived cows remained above the threshold of 1.10 mmol/L throughout the study, and values were higher compared with cows on adequate P supply between d 0 and d +2 and on d +4. The [Ca²⁺] differed between treatments at the sampling times d 0, d +0.25, d +0.5, d +2, and d +4. Plasma [PTH] and [1,25-(OH)₂D₃] did not differ between treatments, but P-deprived cows had greater [CTX] than cows with adequate P supply at d +1, d +2, and d +7. These results indicate that restricted dietary P supply to during the last 4 wk of the dry period improves the Ca homeostasis of these cows in the first days of lactation, an effect that seems to be primarily driven by increased bone tissue mobilization.

Effects of dietary phosphorus concentration during the transition period on plasma calcium concentrations, feed intake, and milk production in dairy cows

Our aim was to evaluate the effects of a low or high dietary phosphorus (P) concentration during the dry period, followed by either a high or low dietary P concentration during the first 8 wk of lactation, on plasma Ca concentrations, feed intake, and lactational performance of dairy cattle. Sixty pregnant multiparous Holstein Friesian dairy cows were assigned to a randomized block design with repeated measurements and dietary treatments arranged in a 2 × 2 factorial fashion. The experimental diets contained 3.6 (Dry-HP) or 2.2 (Dry-LP) g of P/kg of dry matter (DM) during the dry period, and 3.8 (Lac-HP) or 2.9 (Lac-LP) g of P/kg of DM during 56 d after calving period. In dry cows, plasma Ca concentrations were 3.3% greater when cows were fed 2.2 instead of 3.6 g of P/kg of DM. The proportion of cows being hypocalcemic (plasma Ca concentrations <2 mM) in the first week after calving was lowest with the low-P diets both during the dry period and lactation. Plasma Ca concentrations in wk 1 to 8 after calving were affected by dietary P level in the dry period and in the lactation period, but no interaction between both was present. Feeding Dry-LP instead of Dry-HP diets resulted in 4.1% greater plasma Ca values, and feeding Lac-LP instead of Lac-HP diets resulted in 4.0% greater plasma Ca values. After calving, plasma inorganic phosphate (Pi) concentrations were affected by a 3-way interaction between sampling day after calving, and dietary P levels during the dry period and lactation. From d 1 to d 7 postpartum, cows fed Lac-HP had increased plasma Pi concentrations, and the rate appeared to be greater in cows fed Dry-LP versus Dry-HP. In contrast, plasma Pi concentrations decreased from d 1 to d 7 postpartum in cows fed Lac-LP, and this decrease was at a higher rate for cows fed Dry-HP versus Dry-LP. After d 7, plasma Pi concentrations remained rather constant at 1.5 to 1.6 mM when cows received Lac-HP, whereas with Lac-LP plasma Pi concentrations reached stable levels (i.e., 1.3-1.4 mM) at d 28 after calving. Milk production, DM intake, and milk concentrations of P, Ca, fat, protein, and lactose were not affected by any interaction nor the levels of dietary P. It is concluded that the feeding of diets containing 2.2 g of P/kg of DM during the last 6 wk of the dry period and 2.9 g of P/kg of DM during early lactation increased plasma Ca levels when compared with greater dietary P levels. These low-P diets may be instrumental in preventing hypocalcemia in periparturient cows and do not compromise DM intake and milk production. Current results suggest that P requirements in dairy cows during dry period and early lactation can be fine-tuned toward lower values than recommended by both the National Research Council and the Dutch Central Bureau for Livestock Feeding. Caution however is warranted to extrapolate current findings to entire lactations because long-term effects of feeding low-P diets containing 2.9 of g/kg of DM on production and health needs further investigation.

Effect of subclinical and clinical hypocalcemia and dietary cation-anion difference on rumination activity in periparturient dairy cows

Rumination involves a complex series of muscle contractions that bring a bolus of ingesta to the mouth for further mastication before it is swallowed again. Healthy cows ruminate 8 to 9 h/d. Hypocalcemia is known to disrupt nerve and muscle function. Our hypothesis was that hypocalcemia in periparturient cows would reduce rumination activity. Twenty-six Holstein cows entering their third lactation or greater were fed a control diet [dietary cation-anion difference (DCAD) = +196 mEq/kg of dry matter (DM)] or a low DCAD diet supplemented with anions (DCAD = -9 mEq/kg of DM) prepartum. Periparturient plasma Ca concentration and rumination rate were determined. Four of 12 control cows developed clinical milk fever, necessitating intravenous Ca therapy. Rumination rate decreased in all cows around the time of calving. Rumination rate on the first and second day of lactation was highly correlated with the cow's plasma Ca concentration on the first day of lactation. In one of our statistical models, a normocalcemic cow was defined as a cow whose plasma Ca concentration remained above 2.00 mM. Cows were retrospectively classified as normocalcemic, subclinically hypocalcemic, or clinically hypocalcemic (milk fever). Only 4 cows were considered normocalcemic, and all had been fed the low DCAD diet. Normocalcemic cows spent more time ruminating on the first day after calving than subclinically hypocalcemic cows or cows with milk fever. Cows with milk fever had a lower rumination rate than normocalcemic cows through d 3 of lactation. Rumination activity in cows with milk fever was almost nondetectable in the hours before and after intravenous Ca treatment for an extended period, despite the return of muscle function that allowed the cows to stand and eructate following treatment. Other statistical models using different definitions of normocalcemia gave qualitatively similar results. Diet had a great effect on plasma Ca concentration and rumination rate. Even when cows with clinical milk fever were removed from the control cow data set, cows on the low DCAD diet had significantly greater plasma Ca concentrations in the first 36 h after calving and a higher rumination rate on d 1 of lactation (248 ± 26 min) than control cows (158 ± 32 min).

The effect of source of supplemental dietary calcium and magnesium in the peripartum period, and level of dietary magnesium postpartum, on mineral status, performance, and energy metabolites in multiparous Holstein cows

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of feeding different supplemental sources of Ca and Mg in the peripartum period, and different dietary levels of Mg postpartum, on plasma mineral status, performance, and aspects of energy metabolism in transition dairy cows. Multiparous Holstein cows (n = 41) were used in a completely randomized design with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments starting at 28 d before expected parturition. Main effects were source assignments (CS = common sources of supplemental Ca and Mg, or MA = a blend of common and commercial mineral sources with supplemental minerals primarily from a commercial Ca-Mg dolomite source; MIN-AD, Papillon Agricultural Company Inc., Easton, MD) beginning at 21 d before due date; cows were further randomized within source treatments to 1 of 2 levels of Mg supplementation (LM = formulated postpartum diet Mg at 0.30% of dry matter (DM), or HM = formulated postpartum diet Mg at 0.45% of DM) beginning within 1 d after parturition. Final treatment groups included the following: common source, low Mg (CS-LM, n = 11); common source, high Mg (CS-HM, n = 11); MIN-AD, low Mg (MA-LM, n = 10); and MIN-AD, high Mg (MA-HM, n = 9). Treatment diets were fed and data collected through 42 d in milk. Postpartum plasma Mg concentrations tended to be higher for cows fed HM and cows fed CS, but no effects were observed on peripartum plasma Ca concentrations. Peripartum plasma P concentrations were higher for cows fed MA. Dry matter intake (DMI) in the prepartum period was higher for cows fed MA (CS = 15.9 vs. MA = 16.8 kg/d) and postpartum DMI was higher in some groups depending on week. Plasma nonesterified fatty acid concentrations were lower for cows fed MA during both the prepartum and postpartum periods. A source by level interaction was observed for postpartum plasma β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) concentrations such that cows fed CS-LM had numerically higher BHB and cows fed MA-LM had numerically lower BHB (geometric means; CS-LM = 7.9, CS-HM = 6.9, MA-LM = 6.3, and MA-HM = 7.3 mg/dL) than cows fed the other 2 treatments. Higher milk fat yield, milk fat content, and fat- and energy-corrected yield during wk 1 for cows fed MA resulted in source by week interactions for these outcomes. This study demonstrated that varying supplemental Ca and Mg sources and feeding rates had minimal effect on plasma Ca status despite differences in plasma Mg and P concentrations. Effects on DMI and plasma energy metabolites suggest an opportunity for strategic use of mineral sources in the transition period to promote metabolic health.

Zeolite A effect on calcium homeostasis in growing goats

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of 2 different concentrations of zeolite A on calcium homeostasis. Seventeen growing goats were divided into 3 groups. Whereas the control group (5 animals) received no supplementation, 2 treatment groups were supplemented with zeolite A at either 1.2 (6 animals) or 1.6 g/kg BW (6 animals), respectively. Blood and urine samples were continually drawn and bone mineral density was measured weekly by peripheral quantitative computed tomography. After 3 wks, the animals were slaughtered and samples were taken from the rumen, duodenum, and kidneys. Plasma concentrations of phosphate ( < 0.001), magnesium ( < 0.001), and 1.25-dihydroxycholecalciferol ( < 0.01) as well as renal excretion of phosphate ( < 0.05) were significantly lower in the treatment groups compared with the control group. Although bone resorption was increased in both treatment groups ( < 0.05), no alterations in bone structure were detected. Determination of gastrointestinal absorption of calcium by Ussing chamber technique and quantification of RNA and protein expression of genes known to be involved in active calcium absorption did not reveal any stimulating effect of zeolite. Plasma calcium concentrations were not altered, probably because of the sufficient dietary calcium supply. However due to the effects of zeolite on 1,25 dihydroxycholecalciferol, bone metabolism and serum concentrations of phosphate and magenesium shown in the present study, potential negative long-termin effects on the animals should be considered whenever rations with zeolite are designed.

New candidate markers of phosphorus status in beef breeder cows

Determining the phosphorus (P) status of cattle grazing P-deficient rangelands in northern Australia is important for improving animal production in these areas. Plasma inorganic P concentration is currently the best diagnostic marker of dietary P deficiency in growing cattle but is not suitable for assessing the P status of breeder cows, which often mobilise substantial bone and soft tissue reserves in late pregnancy and lactation. Markers of bone turnover offer potential as markers of P status in cattle, as they reflect bone mobilisation or bone formation. Recent experiments investigating the physiology of beef breeder cows during diet P deficiency have indicated that the ratio of plasma total calcium concentration to plasma inorganic P concentration might be suitable as a simple index of P deficiency. However, a more specific measure of increased bone mobilisation in P-deficient breeders is plasma concentration of C-terminal telopeptide of Type 1 collagen. Also, plasma concentration of bone alkaline phosphatase is a marker of defective bone mineralisation in dietary P deficiency. These candidate markers warrant further investigation to determine their predictive value for P deficiency in cattle.

The effect of dietary calcium and phosphorus supplementation in zeolite a treated dry cows on periparturient calcium and phosphorus homeostasis

Previous studies have proved the possibility of preventing parturient hypocalcaemia by zeolite A supplementation during the dry period, and a recent in vitro study has indicated a marked calcium (Ca) as well as phosphorus (P) binding effect of zeolite A in rumen fluid solutions. Because of the connection between the Ca and P homeostatic systems, the preventive effect against parturient hypocalcaemia may arise from zeolite induced decreased availability of dietary Ca as well as P. In the present study, the expected Ca and P binding capacity was challenged by feeding high and low levels of dietary Ca and/or P to zeolite A treated dry cows. Twenty-one pregnant dry cows were assigned to four experimental groups receiving a dry cow ration unsupplemented or supplemented with extra Ca and/or P. During the last 2 weeks of the dry period all cows additionally received 600 g of zeolite A per day. A high level of dietary P prepartum significantly decreased the plasma Ca concentration before as well as immediately after calving (day 0-3). Conversely, the plasma inorganic phosphate concentration was higher among these cows than among cows receiving no supplemental P. The prepartum dietary Ca level significantly affected the serum 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D concentration during zeolite supplementation, whereas the periparturient plasma Ca concentration was apparently not affected by the dietary Ca level. During zeolite A supplementation plasma parathyroid hormone was significantly higher among cows receiving additional P. The urinary deoxypyridinoline/creatinine ratio was not affected by the prepartal dietary Ca or P level. Serum aluminium (Al) was significantly higher during zeolite A supplementation than during the preceding period, indicating partial destruction of the zeolite in the intestinal tract with subsequent release and absorption of Al. It is suggested that the effect of prepartum zeolite supplementation on the periparturient Ca homeostasis depends on the level of Ca as well as P in the dry cow ration.

Periparturient responses of multiparous Holstein cows fed different dietary phosphorus concentrations prepartum

Our objective was to compare the effects of different prepartum dietary phosphorus concentrations on periparturient metabolism and performance. Forty-two late pregnant multiparous Holstein cows were fed 0.21, 0.31, or 0.44% P (dry basis) for 4 wk before expected calving. After parturition, all cows were fed a common lactation diet (0.40% P). In the prepartum period, cows fed 0.21% P had lower blood serum P concentrations compared with cows fed 0.31 or 0.44% P. However, serum P concentrations of all cows were within the normal range (4 to 8 mg/dL) until the day of calving when average concentrations dropped below 4 mg/dL. From 3 to 14 d postpartum, serum P of cows fed 0.21% P was greater than that of cows fed 0.31 or 0.44% P. No cows presented with or were treated for clinical hypophosphatemia in the periparturient period. Total serum Ca was lower before calving through 2 d postpartum for cows fed 0.44% P compared with those fed 0.21 or 0.31%. Prepartum dietary P treatments did not alter blood osteocalcin, hydroxyproline, and deoxypyridinoline, indicators of bone metabolism, or concentrations of parathyroid hormone or 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3. Energy-corrected milk yield and milk composition (first 28 d of lactation) were not affected by prepartum dietary P concentrations. It is concluded that feeding 0.21% P (34 g of P/cow daily) prepartum is adequate for periparturient multiparous Holstein cows with high metabolic demands and genetic potential for milk production. No adverse effects on periparturient health, dry matter intake, or 28-d lactation performance resulted.

Hypocalcemia in Dairy Cows: Meta-analysis and Dietary Cation Anion Difference Theory Revisited

Data from 137 published trials involving 2,545 calvings were analyzed using random effects normal logistic regression models to identify risk factors for clinical hypocalcemia in dairy cows. The aim of the study was to examine which form, if any, of the dietary cation anion difference (DCAD) equation provided the best estimate of milk fever risk and to clarify roles of calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus concentrations of prepartum diets in the pathogenesis of milk fever. Two statistically equivalent and biologically plausible models were developed that predict incidence of milk fever. These models were validated using data from 37 trials excluded from the original data used to generate the models; missing variables were replaced with mean values from the analyzed data. The preferred models differed slightly; Model 1 included prepartum DCAD, and Model 2 included prepartum dietary concentrations of potassium and sulfur alone, but not sodium and chloride. Other factors, included in both models were prepartum dietary concentrations of calcium, magnesium, phosphorus; days exposed to the prepartum diet; and breed. Jersey cows were at 2.25 times higher risk of milk fever than Holstein cows in Model 1. The results support the DCAD theory of greater risk of milk fever with higher prepartum dietary DCAD (odds ratio = 1.015). The only DCAD equation supported in statistical analyses was (Na(+) + K(+)) - (Cl(-) + S(2-)). This finding highlights the difference between developing equations to predict DCAD and those to predict milk fever. The results support a hypothesis of a quadratic role for Ca in the pathogenesis of milk fever (model 1, odds ratio = 0.131; Model 2, odds ratio = 0.115). Milk fever risk was highest with a prepartum dietary concentration of 1.35% calcium. Increasing prepartum dietary magnesium concentrations had the largest effect on decreasing incidence of milk fever in both Model 1 (odds ratio = 0.006) and Model 2 (odds ratio = 0.001). Increasing dietary phosphorus concentrations prepartum increased the risk of milk fever (Model 1, odds ratio = 6.376; Model 2, odds ratio = 9.872). The models presented provide the basis for the formulation of diets to reduce the risk of milk fever and strongly support the need to evaluate macro mineral nutrition apart from DCAD of the diet.

The effect of zeolite A supplementation in the dry period on periparturient calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium homeostasis

One potential way of preventing parturient hypocalcemia in the dairy cow is to feed dry cow rations very low in calcium (<20 g/d); but, because it is difficult to formulate rations sufficiently low in calcium, this principle has been almost abandoned. Recent studies have shown, however, that it is possible to prevent milk fever, as well as subclinical hypocalcemia, by supplementing the dry cow ration with sodium aluminium silicate (zeolite A), which has the capacity to bind calcium. The aim of this study was to further evaluate the effect, if any, of such supplementation on other blood constituents, feed intake, and milk production in the subsequent lactation. A total of 31 pregnant dry cows about to enter their third or later lactation were assigned as experimental or control cows according to parity and expected date of calving. The experimental cows received 1.4 kg of zeolite pellets per d (0.7 kg of pure zeolite A) for the last 2 wk of pregnancy. Blood samples were drawn from all cows 1 wk before the expected date of calving, at calving, at d 1 and 2 after calving, and 1 wk after calving. Additionally, a urine sample was drawn 1 wk before the expected date of calving. Zeolite supplementation significantly increased the plasma calcium level on the day of calving, whereas plasma magnesium as well as inorganic phosphate was suppressed. Serum 1,25(OH)2D was significantly increased 1 wk before the expected date of calving among the experimental cows, whereas there was no difference in the urinary excretion of the bone metabolite deoxypyridinoline between the two groups. Feed intake was decreased among the zeolite-treated cows during the last 2 wk of pregnancy. No effect was observed on milk yield, milk fat, and milk protein in the subsequent lactation. The mechanisms and interactions involved in zeolite supplementation are discussed in relation to the observed improvement in parturient calcium homeostasis and to the observed depression in blood magnesium and inorganic phosphate.

Milk fever control principles: a review

Three main preventive principles against milk fever were evaluated in this literature review, and the efficacy of each principle was estimated from the results of controlled investigations. Oral calcium drenching around calving apparently has a mean efficacy of 50%-60% in terms of milk fever prevention as well as prevention of milk fever relapse after intravenous treatment with calcium solutions. However, some drenches have been shown to cause lesions in the forestomacs. When using the DCAD (dietary cation-anion difference) principle, feeding rations with a negative DCAD (measured as (Na + K)-(Cl + S)) significantly reduce the milk fever incidence. Calculating the relative risk (RR) of developing milk fever from controlled experiments results in a mean RR between 0.19 and 0.35 when rations with a negative versus positive DCAD are compared. The main drawback from the DCAD principle is a palatability problem. The principle of feeding rations low in calcium is highly efficient in milk fever prevention provided the calcium intake in the dry period is kept below 20 g per day. Calculating the relative risk (RR) of developing milk fever from controlled experiments results in a very low mean RR (between 0 and 0.20) (daily calcium intake below versus above 20 g/d). The main problem in implementing the low-Ca principle is difficulties in formulating rations sufficiently low in calcium when using commonly available feeds. The use of large doses of vitamin D metabolites and analogues for milk fever prevention is controversial. Due to toxicity problems and an almost total lack of recent studies on the subject this principle is not described in detail. A few management related issues were discussed briefly, and the following conclusions were made: It is important to supply the periparturient cow with sufficient magnesium to fulfil its needs, and to prevent the dry cows from being too fat. Available information on the influence of carbohydrate intake, and on the effect of the length of the dry period and prepartum milking, is at present insufficient to include these factors in control programmes.

Meta-analysis of nutritional risk factors for milk fever in dairy cattle

Data from 75 published trials were analyzed using meta-analysis techniques (pooling of data from many trials into one analysis) to determine nutritional risk factors for milk fever. Trials included in the analysis represented 1165 cows, 214 of which developed milk fever. Prepartum dietary concentrations of S and dietary anion-cation balance [(Na + K) - (C1 + S)] were the two nutritional factors most strongly correlated to the incidence of milk fever. Logistic regression analysis revealed that dietary S had the greatest influence on the incidence of milk fever. Increasing dietary S concentrations lowered the odds ratio of developing milk fever. Increasing dietary Na and CP increased odds ratios, but to a lesser extent. Relationship of dietary Ca to milk fever was nonlinear; relative risk of milk fever was greatest at 1.16% dietary Ca (DM basis) and was lowered as dietary Ca deviated either direction from 1.16%. Except when dietary Ca was extremely high or low, effects of changes in dietary Ca on the risk of milk fever were minor. Results of the analysis clarified the influence of Ca on the relative risk for milk fever and supported the theory that anion-cation balance exerts a strong, linear effect on the incidence of this disorder.

Some blood minerals and hormones in cows fed variable mineral levels and ionic balance

Eighty multiparous Holstein cows were assigned to eight treatments in a 2 x 2 x 2 factorial design to examine changes in serum parathyroid hormone, calcitonin, Ca, P, Mg, K, and Cl under two levels of dietary Ca and P with two anion-cation balances. Factor levels were low and high Ca (51 vs. 115 g/d), P (38 vs. 52 g/d), and cationic:anionic balance (23 vs. -8 meq). Cows were offered a TMR and an experimental mineral supplement to adjust mineral and anion-cation levels. Caudal vein blood samples were collected every 2 d from d -10 to +10 from calving. Serum K was lower for low Ca and high P compared with high Ca and low P treatments. Neither hormones nor the minerals examined in serum showed treatment effects. Cows of higher parity consumed less supplement and had lower serum Ca and P. All serum variables except calcitonin showed day to day variations. Both Ca and P decreased around parturition, whereas parathyroid hormone and Mg increased. Anionic diets did not differ from cationic diets regarding serum parathyroid hormone, calcitonin, Ca, P, Mg, K, Cl, or Na.

Feeding the dry cow to avoid metabolic disease

The nonlactating period should be regarded as a preparatory phase for the next lactation, rather than a rest phase from the preceding one. During the early dry period, a diet should be provided that meets nutrient requirements for energy, protein, calcium, phosphorus, selenium, vitamins, and other minerals. This can usually be accomplished by feeding a blend of roughages with little or no grain and providing a vitamin and mineral supplement. The diet during the late dry period, or transitional stage, should provide increased energy (an additional 3 to 4 Mcal), and a PP preventive regimen can be instituted at this time. Five to six pounds of concentrate containing 200 gm of an ammonium sulfate and chloride mixture and 6 gm of niacin can be added to the diet to aid in the transition to lactation. Feeding of high-calcium, lactating-cow grain mix should be avoided until after parturition. Stress should be minimized at and after parturition, and a quiet maternity area should be available. The normal depression in dry matter intake at parturition should be minimized; feeding high-quality roughages at this time is beneficial. Concentrate consumption should be increased gradually following parturition, and careful attention to the soluble and undegradable protein fractions of the diet is warranted. In group feeding situations, introduction to the energy-dense, high-lactation ration should probably be avoided for the first 10 to 14 days postpartum, until the cow is acclimated to the forage mix. Body overconditioning should be avoided. However, attempts to manipulate body condition during the dry period tend to be unrewarding and counterproductive. Following these guidelines should reduce the incidence of metabolic diseases in high-producing dairy cattle.