Use of 1 alpha-hydroxyvitamin D3 in the prevention of bovine parturient paresis. IX. Early and late effects of a single injection

Feeding Solanum glaucophyllum to preparturient multiparous cows prevents postparturient hypocalcemia

Solanum glaucophyllum (SG) contains 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25-(OH)2D3) glycosides. We investigated the effect of SG on hypocalcemia in cows. Serum levels of 1,25-(OH)2D3, total calcium and phosphorus dose-relatedly increased after feeding with SG, while serum magnesium and chloride levels fell (P < 0.05). We also performed an ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) infusion to induce artificial hypocalcemia. Cows that had been fed 4.0 mg/kg body weight of SG daily for 2 weeks had a higher serum concentration of total calcium at the end of EDTA infusion than those not fed SG (P < 0.05). In a field trial, multiparous cows were assigned to one of four groups: (1) no SG, (2) 1.3 g or (3) 2.6 g of SG daily from 14 days before the estimated calving day until 3 days after calving, or (4) a single feed of 35.75 g SG at 3 days before the estimated calving day. The concentrations of serum total calcium after the calving in each treatment group were (1) 7.4, (2) 7.9, (3) 8.0 and (4) 8.9 mg/dL and higher for (4) than for (1) (P < 0.05). The data suggests that feeding a high dose of SG before the calving may maintain higher concentrations of serum calcium after the calving.

1 alpha-hydroxyvitamin D3 plus 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 reduces parturient paresis in dairy cows fed high dietary calcium

The effectiveness of a combination of 1 alpha-hydroxyvitamin D3 and 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 for reducing incidence of parturient paresis in aged Holstein cows was tested. Intramuscular injection of .5 mg of 1 alpha-hydroxyvitamin D3 plus 4 mg of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 increased plasma 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D concentrations through parturition. Treatment with 1 alpha-hydroxyvitamin D3 plus 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 raised prepartum serum Ca approximately 2 mg/dl and prepartum serum P approximately 4 to 5 mg/dl higher than untreated controls. Both treated and control cows had approximately a 2-mg/dl decrease in serum Ca following parturition. The prepartum diet of alfalfa silage and hay was supplemented with a grain mixture supplying 100 g of Ca/d from ground limestone. Under these dietary conditions, incidence of parturient paresis was reduced from 33 to 8%. In a separate experiment, treatment with 1 alpha-hydroxyvitamin D3 plus 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 did not reduce incidence of parturient paresis when cows consumed mixed diets of different feed-stuff composition. Further experiments are required to determine specifically the factor or factors responsible for the difference in response to active vitamin D compound administration between the two experiments. Prepartum dietary Ca intake may be one such factor.

Effects of manipulating dietary cation-anion balance on macromineral balance in sheep

Effect on macromineral balance in sheep of dietary excess of inorganic anions (Cl and S) or inorganic cations (Na and K) was studied. Dietary cation-anion balance was calculated as milliequivalents [(Na + K) - (Cl + S)] kg-1 of DM. Eight crossbred wethers were fed two levels of Ca, designated high Ca (.82%) or normal Ca (.48%), with four treatment each, three of which differed in dietary cation-anion balance. Control and two treatments had +284, +61, and -27 meq kg-1 of DM for high Ca and +343, +218, and +63 meq kg-1 of DM for normal Ca, respectively. A fourth treatment was control plus injection of vitamin D3 (16,670 IU kg-1 of BW). Reducing dietary cation-anion balance reduced Ca retention by increasing excretion of urinary Ca. Apparent absorption of Ca was similar across cation-anion balances. There was no correlation observed between dietary cation-anion balance and concentration of plasma Ca. No difference was observed in apparent absorption of Ca between high and normal Ca. This result may be related to an oversupply of dietary Ca. Magnesium retention as a proportion of that absorbed for lowest cation-anion balance was smaller than that for the intermediate balance and control plus vitamin D3, although not different from control. Results showed that reduced dietary cation-anion balance resulted in a reduction of Ca retention.

The effects of intramuscularly administered vitamin D3, 25- and 1 alpha-hydroxycholecalciferol in cows on plasma mineral content, plasma 25-hydroxycholecalciferol and on mineral deposits in soft tissues

The investigations were carried out to evaluate potential side effects of a prophylaxis with high doses of vitamin D3 and vitamin D metabolites in parturient paresis. For this reason, 10(7) IU vitamin D3 (= 250 mg), 4 mg 25-OHD3 or 420 micrograms 1 alpha-OHD3 were applied to non-gravid dairy cows at the end of lactation. The application was repeated 3 times at one week intervals and the changes of the mineral concentration and 25-OHD were measured in the plasma. The pathomorphological changes in the cardio-vascular system and other organs were examined macro- and microscopically. The application of vitamin D3 and 25-OHD3 led to an immediate and continuous increase of the 25-OHD concentration in the plasma. On the other hand, administration of 1 alpha-OHD3 resulted in a decrease of the 25-OHD level. After the application of vitamin D3 and 1 alpha-OHD3, the Ca and Pi concentration increased significantly. After 25-OHD3, the Ca concentration decreased below the initial level in the second week. The administration of all 3 compounds led to a significant decrease of the Mg concentration after the first injection. The administration of vitamin D3 and 1 alpha-OHD3 resulted in a significantly more pronounced calcinosis of inner organs while after the application of 25-OHD3 only occasionally calcium deposits were observed in the vascular system.

Effects of continuous administration of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 on plasma minerals and unoccupied colon mucosal 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 receptor concentrations

Six mature nonlactating, nonpregnant Jersey cows were implanted with Alzet mini-osmotic pumps, which delivered 50 micrograms of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25-(OH)2D3] each day for 7 d in an effort to mimic plasma concentrations of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25-(OH)2D] observed in cows at parturition. Plasma samples were obtained daily beginning 6 d prior to implantation and ending 8 d after removal of the implants. Six biopsies of the descending colon mucosa were obtained per rectum before and after implantation and assayed for unoccupied 1,25-(OH)2D3 receptor concentration. Plasma concentration of 1,25-(OH)2D increased from 37 pg/ml pretreatment to 294 pg/ml with the pumps implanted. Plasma Ca concentration increased within 2 d after implantation and remained elevated for 7 d after the pumps were removed. Unoccupied colon mucosa 1,25-(OH)2D3 receptor mean concentration prior to treatment was 14.6 fmol/mg protein and increased within 2 d following implantation to 30.5 fmol/mg protein. These data suggest that 1,25-(OH)2D3 upregulates its own receptor in the intestine of the cow.