Skip to main content
ARS Home » Midwest Area » Ames, Iowa » National Animal Disease Center » Ruminant Diseases and Immunology Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #175609
Title: PLASMA MINERAL AND ENERGY METABOLITE CONCENTRATIONS IN DAIRY COWS FED AN ANIONIC PREPARTUM DIET THAT DID OR DID NOT HAVE RETAINED FETAL MEMBRANES AFTER PARTURITION

Author
item MELENDEZ, P - UNIV FL, GAINESVILLE
item DONOVAN, G - UNIV FL, GAINESVILLE
item RISCO, C - UNIV FL, GAINESVILLE
item Goff, Jesse

Submitted to: American Journal of Veterinary Research
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/12/2004
Publication Date: 8/1/2004
Citation: Melendez, P., Donovan, G.A., Risco, C.A., Goff, J.P. 2004. Plasma mineral and energy metabolite concentrations in dairy cows fed an anionic prepartum diet that did or did not have retained fetal membranes after parturition. American Journal of Veterinary Research. 65(8):1071-1076.

Interpretive Summary: Failure to expel fetal membranes from the uterus after calving is unfortunately common in dairy cattle affecting about 8% of all cows each year. This condition often leads to infection of the uterus and poor fertility in the cow, which often means she is sent to slaughter at the end of her lactation, since she needs to have a calf each year to produce milk efficiently. This study hypothesized that low blood calcium concentration was associated with retention of the fetal membranes (RFM), even when cows were placed on diets formulated with anion supplements now known to reduce the severe decline on blood calcium commonly occurring in dairy cows. This drop in blood calcium occurs as a result of the rapid onset of lactation in cows when they calve. The study found that those cows with RFM have lower plasma calcium concentrations than cows without RFM, although this association does not prove a cause-effect relationship. This study suggests even small declines in blood calcium can be detrimental to the cow. Results of this study will greatly benefit the dairy industry worldwide.

Technical Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To compare plasma total calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA), beta hydroxy butyrate (BHB), and glucose concentrations in parturient dairy cows that were fed an anionic prepartum diet between those with and without retained fetal membranes (RFM) at 24 hours after parturition. ANIMALS: 152 Holstein cows that calved during October through December of 1997 PROCEDURE: All cows were fed an anionic prepartum diet. Blood sample was taken within 6 hours after parturition from randomly selected cows. Thirty-nine cows had a diagnosis of RFM at 24 hours after parturition; 113 were not affected with RFM. At calving, body condition score (BCS; 1 [thin] to 5 [obese]), parity, and calving difficulty score were recorded. Plasma calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, NEFA, BHB, and glucose concentrations were compared between cows with or without RFM. RESULTS: Cows with RFM had significantly lower plasma calcium concentration soon after calving, compared with cows without RFM. Cows with a parity of > or = 3 had significantly lower plasma concentrations of calcium and higher concentrations of magnesium, compared with cows with a parity of 1 or 2. Cows with a BCS of > or = 3.25 at calving had significantly higher plasma concentrations of BHB than cows with a BCS of 2.75 to 3.0. Cows with dystocia had significantly higher plasma concentrations of glucose, compared with cows without dystocia. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: In parturient cows fed a prepartum anionic diet, those with RFM have lower plasma calcium concentrations than cows without RFM, although this association does not prove a cause-effect relationship.