RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Pilot study to evaluate the effect of a calcium and vitamin D-containing oral bolus on serum calcium levels in early lactation Holstein dairy cows
JF bioRxiv
FD Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
SP 520221
DO 10.1101/520221
A1 D.A. Shock
A1 D.L. Renaud
A1 S.M. Roche
A1 R. Genore
A1 R. Reynen
A1 M. E. Olson
YR 2019
UL http://biorxiv.org/content/early/2019/01/14/520221.abstract
AB The initiation of lactation challenges the ability of the modern lactating cow to maintain calcium homeostasis, and typically results in a drop in blood calcium levels; leading to mobilization of calcium reserves from skeletal stores. As such, the recommendation to provide supplemental calcium at parturition to older cows has become an industry-standard practice. Mature cows were treated at calving and 12 hours later with either the novel calcium bolus (Calboost (CB) (Solvet, Calgary, Alberta, Canada)), or a commercially available calcium bolus (Bovikalc (BK) (Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica Inc., St. Joseph, MO)). Blood was collected from animals at 0, 1, 6, 12, 13, and 24 hours following calving, and the resulting serum samples were analyzed. Overall, there was no statistical difference between the two calcium boluses for blood calcium levels within the first 24 hours following parturition (P = 0.50). Cows treated with both oral calcium boluses experienced a significant increase in serum calcium by 1 hour after parturition, however, this increase was not sustained through subsequent sampling times. This pilot study demonstrates that both boluses have a similar effect in the elevation of blood calcium.