Short- and long-term effects of postpartum oral bolus v. subcutaneous Ca supplements on blood metabolites and productivity of Holstein cows fed a prepartum anionic diet

Abstract

Little information is available regarding the calcium (Ca) dynamics and how its concentration is influenced following the Ca treatment (injection or bolus) after calving in dairy cows. To evaluate the short- and long-term effects of different sources of Ca supplement to animals fed anionic diets during the pre-partum period, 36 multiparous Holstein cows were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 treatments: (1) control group without Ca supplement (CON); (2) subcutaneous injection of 500 ml of 40% w/v Ca borogluconate immediately post-calving (SUB) and (3) oral supplement of Ca bolus containing 45 g Ca immediately and 24 h post-calving (BOL). Serum concentrations of Ca, P and Mg were measured. Serum concentration of Ca was affected by treatments at 48 h of post-calving (P < 0.01). The mean Ca at 6 h was greater in SUB compared to CON group (2.34 v. 2.01 mmol/l; P < 0.002). The lowest Ca concentration at 12 h was related to CON cows compared with BOL and SUB cows (1.90, 2.16 and 2.14 mmol/l, respectively; P < 0.02); a similar trend was observed 24 h post-calving (P < 0.02). Serum concentrations of P and Mg were not influenced by treatments. Yield of milk, milk protein and fat-corrected milk were lowest (P < 0.05) in SUB cows within 3 weeks of lactation in comparison with CON and BOL cows. However, milk yield and milk composition did not show any difference among treatments throughout the first 3 months post-calving. In general, under conditions of this experiment, Ca supplements to fresh cows as an oral bolus are recommended in comparison with subcutaneous injection.

Effect of Anionic and Zeolite Supplements and Oral Calcium Bolus in Prepartum Diets on Feed Intake, Milk Yield and Milk Compositions, Plasma Ca Concentration, Blood Metabolites and the Prevalence of Some Reproductive Disorders in Fresh Dairy Cows

“…A failure to respond to this request increases the risk of metabolic diseases, such as ketosis, fatty liver, retained placenta, displaced abomasum, metritis and mastitis, as well as decreased reproductive performance and decreased milk production [ 2 , 6 ]. Subclinical hypocalcaemia, or a low circulating Ca at 48 h post-calving, is a common metabolic disorder affecting 47% of mature dairy cows and 25% of heifers at or after the first parturition [ 7 ]. Two main strategies, including reducing the dietary cation–anion difference (DCAD, −100 to −150 mEq/kg) via pre-parturient feeding of anionic compounds and using low-calcium diets (Ca, 0.24% to 0.44% of dry matter intake (DMI)) a few weeks before parturition to overcome problems, have been proposed [ 5 , 7 ].…”

“…Subclinical hypocalcaemia, or a low circulating Ca at 48 h post-calving, is a common metabolic disorder affecting 47% of mature dairy cows and 25% of heifers at or after the first parturition [ 7 ]. Two main strategies, including reducing the dietary cation–anion difference (DCAD, −100 to −150 mEq/kg) via pre-parturient feeding of anionic compounds and using low-calcium diets (Ca, 0.24% to 0.44% of dry matter intake (DMI)) a few weeks before parturition to overcome problems, have been proposed [ 5 , 7 ]. However, the disadvantages of these methods, over time, have limited their use because employment of low-calcium diets is difficult in practice, and the level of calcium intake should be lowered through reducing the feed intake or the use of low-quality feed ingredients [ 8 ].…”

“…Scarce reports are available on the calcium dynamics. The blood Ca concentration is influenced by injection or bolus supply after calving in dairy cows [ 7 ]. Both Holstein and Jersey breeds and their increasing parity are known risk factors for hypocalcaemia [ 14 ].…”

Effects of 25-Hydroxyvitamin D3 and Oral Calcium Bolus on Lactation Performance, Ca Homeostasis, and Health of Multiparous Dairy Cows

“…Subclinical hypocalcemia reduces DMI and leads to negative energy balance after calving, thus impairing lactation performance and causing postpartum health disorders [1]. Although an acidogenic diet, low Ca diets and postpartum oral bolus Ca supplements have decreased the incidences of clinical hypocalcemia to a large extent, subclinical hypocalcemia has remained a prevalent issue in the cattle industry [2].…”

“…In recent years, increased attention has been directed toward postpartum oral Ca boluses for preventing the occurrence of hypocalcemia. This strategy of Ca delivery is feasible because Ca is absorbed by passive diffusion through the junctions connected with mucosal cells that depend on Ca concentrations in the lumen [2]. Thus, increasing the Ca concentration in the rumen using Ca supplementation is important to enhance Ca absorption.…”