Associations between subclinical hypocalcemia and postparturient diseases in dairy cows

Abstract

Dairy cows suffer blood Ca losses as lactation begins and might be affected by hypocalcemia in its clinical (total serum Ca concentration <1.50 mM) or subclinical form (total serum Ca concentration ≤2.14 mM). Several studies have suggested that hypocalcemia is associated with different health problems of the cow but results from different studies are not consistent. The objective of this study was to assess potential associations between subclinical hypocalcemia (SCHC) and displaced abomasum, intramammary infections, metritis, retained placenta, and ketosis. Also, the associations between SCHC and milk yield and reproductive function were evaluated. After discarding cows (32) with clinical hypocalcemia, a total of 764 cows from 6 different commercial farms were enrolled in this study. Blood samples were collected at 24 to 48 h postcalving and analyzed for total Ca concentration. Odds ratios of the different afflictions potentially associated with SCHC were calculated. Seventy-eight percent of the analyzed cows incurred SCHC. The occurrence of displaced abomasum, ketosis, retained placenta, and metritis was 3.7, 5.5, 3.4, and 4.3 times more likely, respectively, in cows that had SCHC than in cows with normocalcemia. Furthermore, the risk of incurring retained placenta or metritis increased in multiparous cows as serum Ca concentrations decreased compared with that in primiparous cows. Normocalcemic cows, independent of parity, were more likely to show their first estrus sooner after calving than SCHC cows, but no correlation was found between SCHC and other reproductive parameters. Different serum Ca concentration cutoffs were identified for several postpartum afflictions (≤1.93, ≤2.05, ≤2.05, and ≤2.10 mM for ketosis, retained placenta, metritis, and displaced abomasum, respectively). In conclusion, SCHC, defined as serum Ca ≤2.14 mM, is a frequent illness affecting the majority of the dairy cows with important repercussions on health. However, if SCHC were to be used to predict postpartum disease, different serum Ca cutoff points are likely to be needed because best predictive cutoff values varied among postpartum ketosis, displaced abomasum, retained placenta, and metritis.

Associations of pre- and postpartum lying time with metabolic, inflammation, and health status of lactating dairy cows

“…Multiparous KET and KET+ cows had increased prevalence of hypocalcemia within 2 d after calving compared with ND and SICK. These results are in agreement with previous research that found that cows with subclinical hypocalcemia are 5.5 times more likely to have ketosis (Rodríguez et al, 2017); and cows with clinical hypocalcemia are 8.9 times more likely to experience ketosis (Curtis et al, 1983). This could be partially explained by the decrease in DMI (Martinez et al, 2012) or increased calcium demand to support lipomobilization early in lactation (act as a cofactor for enzyme reactions).…”

Epidemiology of subclinical hypocalcemia in early-lactation Holstein dairy cows: The temporal associations of plasma calcium concentration in the first 4 days in milk with disease and milk production

“…More recently, various research groups are working on improving the characterization of SCH by associating reduced blood Ca concentration in the postpartum period with detrimental health and production outcomes (Chapinal et al, 2011;Rodríguez et al, 2017;Wilhelm et al, 2017). Differences in the day relative to parturition of blood collection for Ca concentration assessments could influence the comparability of results between studies, as Ca dynamics in the first few DIM are quite variable.…”

<p>A Pilot Study To Evaluate The Effect Of A Novel Calcium And Vitamin D-Containing Oral Bolus On Serum Calcium Levels In Holstein Dairy Cows Following Parturition</p>

“…4,17 Indeed, the risk of displaced abomasum, ketosis, retained placenta, and metritis were 3.7, 5.5, 3.4, and 4.3 times more likely, respectively, in cows that experience subclinical hypocalcemia relative to normocalcemic cohorts. 18 Overall, the costs associated with subclinical hypocalcemia are estimated to be approximately $125 per case. 2 For the average 500 cow herd, assuming 65% of the herd is in their second lactation or greater, and a 50% incidence of subclinical mastitis, the cost would be approximately $20,312.50.…”