Subclinical hypocalcemia, plasma biochemical parameters, lipid metabolism, postpartum disease, and fertility in postparturient dairy cows.
A study was conducted to evaluate the potential association between Ca status at calving and postpartum energy balance, liver lipid infiltration, disease occurrence, milk yield and quality parameters, and fertility in Holstein cows. One hundred cows were assigned to 1 of 2 groups based on whole-blood ionized Ca concentration ([iCa]) on the day of calving [d 0; hypocalcemic [iCa] <1.0 mmol/L (n=51); normocalcemic [iCa] ≥ 1.0 mmol/L (n=49)]. Cows were blocked based on calving date and parity. Blood samples were collected approximately 14 d from expected calving date (d -14), the day of calving (d 0), and on d 3, 7, 14, 21, and 35 postpartum for measurement of plasma nonesterified fatty acid, iCa, total Ca, glucose, and total and direct bilirubin concentrations, and plasma aspartate aminotransferase and gamma glutamyl transferase activities. Liver biopsies were obtained from a subset of cows on d 0, 7, and 35 for quantification of lipid content. Milk samples were collected on d 3, 7, 14, 21, and 35 postpartum for measurement of somatic cell count and percentages of protein, fat, and solids-not-fat. Data for peak test-day milk yield, services per conception, and days open were obtained from Dairy Herd Improvement Association herd records. Disease occurrence was determined based on herd treatment records. Hypocalcemic cows had significantly higher nonesterified fatty acids on d 0. Hypocalcemic cows also had significantly more lipid in hepatocytes on d 7 and 35 postpartum. However, no statistically significant differences were observed between groups for plasma aspartate aminotransferase and gamma glutamyl transferase activities or total and direct bilirubin concentrations. Milk protein percentage was lower in hypocalcemic cows on d 21 and 35. However other milk quality variables (somatic cell count, milk fat percentage, and solids-not-fat) and milk yield variables (peak test-day milk yield and 305-d mature-equivalent 4% fat-corrected milk yield) did not differ between groups. No differences were observed between groups in the occurrence of clinical mastitis, ketosis, displaced abomasum, dystocia, retained placenta, metritis, or fertility measures (percentage cycling at 50-60 d postpartum, services per conception, or days open). These data suggest that early lactation fatty acid metabolism differs between cows with subclinical hypocalcemia and their normocalcemic counterparts.
['Chamberlin|W G|WG|', 'Middleton|J R|JR|', 'Spain|J N|JN|', 'Johnson|G C|GC|', 'Ellersieck|M R|MR|', 'Pithua|P|P|']
D000818:Animals D001663:Bilirubin D002118:Calcium D002417:Cattle D002418:Cattle Diseases D002452:Cell Count D005230:Fatty Acids, Nonesterified D005260:Female D005298:Fertility D005947:Glucose D006996:Hypocalcemia D007774:Lactation D050356:Lipid Metabolism D008055:Lipids D008099:Liver D008892:Milk D008894:Milk Proteins D011247:Pregnancy D011644:Puerperal Disorders
subclinical hypocalcemia negative energy balance transition cow