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Interaction of blood calcium with luteal activity, energy metabolites and somatic cells count in post-partum dairy cows

Farhad Shoukat

College of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences, The University of Agriculture, Peshawar, Pakistan

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Rifat Ullah Khan,

Corresponding Author

Rifat Ullah Khan

[email protected]

College of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences, The University of Agriculture, Peshawar, Pakistan

Correspondence

Vincenzo Tufarelli and Rifat Ullah Khan, College of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences, The University of Agriculture, Peshawar, Pakistan.

Emails: [email protected]; [email protected]

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Davide De Marzo,

Davide De Marzo

orcid.org/0000-0003-4175-6333

Department of DETO, Section of Veterinary Science and Animal Production, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy

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Domenico Mazzei,

Domenico Mazzei

Department of DETO, Section of Veterinary Science and Animal Production, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy

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Vito Laudadio,

Vito Laudadio

Department of DETO, Section of Veterinary Science and Animal Production, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy

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Vincenzo Tufarelli,

Corresponding Author

Vincenzo Tufarelli

[email protected]

orcid.org/0000-0003-0089-4393

Department of DETO, Section of Veterinary Science and Animal Production, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy

Correspondence

Vincenzo Tufarelli and Rifat Ullah Khan, College of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences, The University of Agriculture, Peshawar, Pakistan.

Emails: [email protected]; [email protected]

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Farhad Shoukat,

Farhad Shoukat

College of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences, The University of Agriculture, Peshawar, Pakistan

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Rifat Ullah Khan,

Corresponding Author

Rifat Ullah Khan

[email protected]

College of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences, The University of Agriculture, Peshawar, Pakistan

Correspondence

Vincenzo Tufarelli and Rifat Ullah Khan, College of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences, The University of Agriculture, Peshawar, Pakistan.

Emails: [email protected]; [email protected]

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Davide De Marzo,

Davide De Marzo

orcid.org/0000-0003-4175-6333

Department of DETO, Section of Veterinary Science and Animal Production, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy

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Domenico Mazzei,

Domenico Mazzei

Department of DETO, Section of Veterinary Science and Animal Production, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy

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Vito Laudadio,

Vito Laudadio

Department of DETO, Section of Veterinary Science and Animal Production, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy

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Vincenzo Tufarelli,

Corresponding Author

Vincenzo Tufarelli

[email protected]

orcid.org/0000-0003-0089-4393

Department of DETO, Section of Veterinary Science and Animal Production, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy

Correspondence

Vincenzo Tufarelli and Rifat Ullah Khan, College of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences, The University of Agriculture, Peshawar, Pakistan.

Emails: [email protected]; [email protected]

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First published: 18 April 2022

https://doi.org/10.1111/rda.14126

Citations: 4

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Abstract

The aim of the research was to assess whether there was a link between serum calcium (Ca) after calving and serum progesterone, milk somatic cells count and Ca, and other blood metabolites in Achai and crossbred cows. Based on blood calcium level shortly after calving, thirty cows from both breeds were divided into a moderate group (≤10.0 mg/dl of Ca) and a high group (>10.0 mg/dl of Ca), with samples collected at 0, 7, 14, 21, 28 and 35 days post-partum, respectively. On day 35 of the post-partum, crossbred and Achai cows with high blood Ca recorded significantly (p < .01) higher serum progesterone, glucose, triglyceride and milk Ca compared with moderate blood Ca group; however, serum cholesterol was significantly (p < .01) higher in both breeds under high blood Ca. Incidence of subclinical mastitis was significantly (p < .01) higher in crossbred and Achai cows under high blood Ca. The results showed that blood progesterone (OR=2.095), glucose (OR=1.024), triglyceride (OR=4.571), cholesterol (OR=1.111) and milk Ca (OR=1.141) resulted in a greater concentration in crossbred compared to Achai cows. A significant (p < .01) correlation was found between blood Ca and other blood metabolites (progesterone, glucose, triglyceride and cholesterol) in both breeds. In conclusion, greater serum Ca concentration after calving is associated with greater serum progesterone, glucose, triglyceride and milk Ca in crossbred cows; however, the incidence of subclinical mastitis increased.

1 INTRODUCTION

The high amount of calcium (Ca) necessary for the initiation of colostrogenesis and lactation during the peripartum period is linked to a drop in blood Ca levels in dairy cows, causing Ca mobilization from skeletal storage leading to hypocalcaemia (Chamberlin et al., 2013). Parturition causes significant physiological changes in dairy cows. During the start of lactation, blood Ca concentration reduces fast, resulting in inadequate ionized Ca availability (Quiroz-Rocha et al., 2009). This may overload homeostatic systems, resulting in Ca deficiency in blood. Clinical hypocalcaemia (milk fever) occurs when blood Ca is less than 6.0 mg/dl and characterized by the inability to stand, muscle weakness, lethargy and cold ears (Jawor et al., 2012). In post-partum dairy cows, subclinical hypocalcaemia, which is typically defined as a blood Ca level of 5.5–8.0 mg/dl in the absence of clinical indications, is regarded as a serious metabolic illness (Reinhardt et al., 2011). Several researchers in modern dairy herds have looked at the effect of blood Ca on post-partum illnesses and/or reproductive performance (Caixeta et al., 2017; Neves et al., 2018; Rodríguez et al., 2017; Venjakob et al., 2021). According to several studies, subclinical hypocalcaemia is linked to an increased risk of reproductive disorders in high milk-producing cows (Chapinal et al., 2012; Martinez et al., 2012; Obucinski et al., 2019b; Rodríguez et al., 2017). According to Jeong et al., (2018), higher blood Ca content (9.7 mg/dl) is connected to higher concentration of serum energy metabolites and earlier return of oestrous cyclicity in dairy cows. Similarly, lower blood Ca is associated with a negative effect on ovarian function and the condition was worse in chronic hypocalcaemic cows (Caixeta et al., et al. 2017). Furthermore, Neves et al. (2018) concluded that serum Ca collected after 12 hr of calving was not associated with mastitis in dairy cows. Most of the previous studies have concluded inconsistent link of blood Ca with reproductive performance of the dairy cows.

Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess whether there was a link between blood Ca and serum metabolites, ovarian cyclicity and the prevalence of subclinical mastitis in Achai and crossbred cows.

2 MATERIALS AND METHODS

2.1 Selection of experimental animals

The trial was conducted according to the EU standards for the protection of animals used for scientific purposes, and all the procedures with animals were approved by the Local Ethics Committee of Animal Experiments of the University (Approval no. 2020–1–134).

A total of 15 Achai and 15 crossbred (Jersey ×Achai) cows were included in the study. All the cows were fed a total mixed ration (TMR) and oats during the lactation period (Table 1). Animals were divided into two groups on the basis of mean serum Ca concentration on day 0 of parturition as moderate Ca group (<10 mg/dl, n = 15) and high Ca group (≥10 mg/dl, n = 15).

TABLE 1. Ingredients and nutritional composition of the diet fed to cows

Ingredients	Amount
Total mixed ration, %
Corn grain	30.0
Corn gluten	30.0
Cotton seed cake	12.0
Molasses	10.0
Sunflower cake	8.0
Mustard seed cake	8.0
Dicalcium phosphate	1.0
Sodium chloride	1.0
Green grass, kg/cow/day
Oat,	30.0
Chemical analyses, %
Crude protein	18.0
Neutral detergent fibre	33.0
Crude fat	4.3
Calcium	0.95

2.2 Blood collection and analysis of progesterone, glucose, cholesterol and triglyceride

Blood was collected within 3 hr of parturition on Day 0 and subsequent weeks from the jugular veins of the cows in a clean glass tubes and then centrifuged (3000 rpm × 10 min), and the serum was stored at −20°C. Progesterone was determined in serum samples through enzyme immunoassay (ELISA) test kit (Biocheck, USA). Blood glucose, cholesterol and triglyceride were determined using MTD Diagnostics (Italy).

2.3 Milk ca and somatic cell count

Concentration of Ca was determined through atomic absorption spectrophotometer. First samples solutions were prepared for Ca analysis. Samples were taken 1 to 2 g and added to digestion tubes. Concentrated HNO₃ was added up to 20–25 ml for initial reaction than sample, which was heated for 30–45 min. After cooling, 10 ml of 70% HClO₄ was added and was heated again followed by cooling. To make 100 ml solution, distilled water was added. Calcium was determined through atomic absorption spectrophotometer by reading at 422.7 nm absorbance by using slit of 0.7 nm.

Milk somatic cell count was determined by the method as described by Wegner et al., (1978). Briefly, with the help of diamond pencil, 1-cm² area was drawn on clean glass slide. By taking 10μl of milk with the help of micropipette, a smear was made on the marked area. After drying, smear was fixed with ethanol for 5 min, and then, xylene was applied to remove fat. After drying, smear was stained with Giemsa stain for 10 min. Cells were counted under a microscope (40×). Number of cells were counted in ten fields by calculating the average number of cells per field, and cells were multiplied with 5000 and then with 100 to calculate the number of cells per ml.

2.4 Statistical analysis

Data were analysed using three way ANOVA considering breed, blood Ca level and days as main effects and their interaction, with the help of statistical software (Statistix version 8.1). Significant differences among means were determined using Tukey's test. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to find the association between blood calcium level with blood metabolites and somatic cell count. A P-value less than 0.05 was considered as statistically significant.

3 RESULTS

Mean serum progesterone concentration of Achai and crossbred Achai cows based on the two levels of blood Ca at different post-partum days is given in Table 2. The results show that serum progesterone was affected by post-partum days (p = .001), breed (p = .020) and Ca level (p = .001). The interaction of days, breed and Ca level were also significant (p = .019). Serum progesterone concentration in crossbred cows was significantly (p < .01) higher on Day 35 post-partum having high blood Ca as compared to day 0 of Achai cows with moderate Ca level.

TABLE 2. Serum progesterone level (ng/ml) in post-partum Achai and crossbred dairy cows

Item	Achai		Crossbred
Days	Moderate Ca	High Ca	Moderate Ca	High Ca
0	0.37ⁱ	1.45^hij	0.80^ki	2.04^cdef
7	0.54ⁱ	1.61^fghij	1.20^jk	2.49^abcd
14	1.35^ij	2.21^bcde	1.52^ghij	2.44^abc
21	1.49^ghij	2.48^abc	1.75^efghi	2.59^ab
28	1.58^fghij	2.54^ab	1.88^defgh	2.63^ab
35	1.68^fghi	2.62^ab	1.94^defg	2.75^a
Pooled SEM	0.12	0.22	0.13	0.17

Note

p-values: Breed=0.02, Ca level =0.001, Days =0.001, Breed×Ca level×Days = 0.019.
Mean values bearing different superscript in row and column are significantly different (p < .05).

Serum glucose concentration of Achai and crossbred cows divided into two levels of blood Ca at different post-partum days is given in Table 3. It was found that serum glucose was affected by post-partum days (p = .017), breed (p = .010) and Ca level (p = .001) and their interaction (p = .059). Serum glucose concentration in crossbred cows was significantly (p < .01) higher on Day 28 post-partum having high blood Ca as compared to day 0 of Achai cows having moderate Ca in blood. Serum triglyceride level of Achai and crossbred cows grouped based on two levels of blood Ca at different post-partum days is given in Table 4. From findings, it was observed that triglyceride concentration was affected by post-partum days (p = .001), breed (p = .030) and Ca level (p = .001). The interaction of days, breed and calcium level is also significant (p = .008). Moreover, triglyceride level in crossbred cows was significantly (p < .01) higher on Day 35 post-partum having high blood Ca as compared to day 0 of Achai cows having moderate Ca. Serum cholesterol level of Achai and crossbred cows as for their levels of blood Ca at different post-partum days is reported in Table 5. The results show that serum cholesterol was affected by post-partum days (p = .001), breed (p = .001) and Ca level (p = .001) as well as their interaction (p = .001). In crossbred cows, cholesterol resulted significantly (p < .01) higher on Day 14 post-partum having high blood Ca as compared to Day 0 of cows having moderate Ca.

TABLE 3. Serum glucose level (mg/dl) in post-partum Achai and crossbred dairy cows

Item	Achai		Crossbred
Days	Moderate Ca	High Ca	Moderate Ca	High Ca
0	69.91^e	88.52^abcde	82.29^abcde	100.55^abc
7	81.82^abcde	98.21^abcd	82.28^abcde	105.01^ab
14	79.48^cde	100.19^abc	79.92^cde	104.78^ab
21	75.55^de	101.36^abc	82.02^abcde	102.32^abc
28	89.15^abcde	98.76^abcd	81.51^bcde	105.4^a
35	90.49^abcde	103.23^abc	83.42^abcde	87.73^abcde
Pooled SEM	3.42	4.32	5.11	3.67

Note

p-values: Breed=0.01, Ca level =0.001, Days =0.017, Breed×Ca level×Days = 0.059.
Mean values bearing different superscript in row and column are significantly different (p <.05).

TABLE 4. Serum triglyceride level (mg/dl) in post-partum Achai and crossbred dairy cows

Item	Achai		Crossbred
Days	Moderate Ca	High Ca	Moderate Ca	High Ca
0	16.43^fgh	18.38^efg	20.92^cde	24.42^ab
7	15.35 ^hr	18.76^ef	22.20^bcd	24.02^ab
14	16.15^gh	19.01^ef	22.12^bcd	22.43^bcd
21	15.19^h	18.88^ef	23.44^abc	23.19^abcd
28	16.10^gh	20.94^cde	23.10^abcd	24.72^ab
35	16.98^fgh	20.81 ^de	23.74^ab	25.37 ^a
Pooled SEM	0.43	0.56	0.33	0.41

Note

p-values: Breed=0.03, Ca level =0.001, Days =0.001, Breed×Ca level×Days = 0.008.
Mean values bearing different superscript in row and column are significantly different (p < .05).

TABLE 5. Serum cholesterol level (mg/dl) in post-partum Achai and crossbred dairy cows

Item	Achai		Crossbred
Days	Moderate Ca	High Ca	Moderate Ca	High Ca
0	157.33ⁱ	198.26^defg	196.33^efg	214.44^abc
7	167.44^hi	205.26^abcde	198.59^defg	205.83^abcde
14	171.01^hi	200.95^cdef	202.19^bcdef	216.71^a
21	171.53^h	208.12^abcde	206.17^abcde	211.96^abcd
28	186.81^g	208.96^abcde	205.89^abcde	215.01^ab
35	188.70^fg	214.09^abc	208.67^abcde	212.06^abcd
Pooled SEM	2.34	2.36	1.92	1.45

Note

p-values: Breed=0.001, Ca level =0.001, Days =0.001, Breed×Ca level×Days = 0.001.
Mean values bearing different superscript in row and column are significantly different (p < .05).

Milk Ca concentration of Achai and crossbred cows according to blood Ca level at different post-partum days is reported in Table 6. It was observed that milk Ca was affected by post-partum days (p = .001), breed (p = .020) and Ca level (p = .001) as well as the interaction (p-value = 0.001). Also, milk Ca in crossbred cows was significantly (p < .01) higher on Day 28 post-partum having high blood Ca as compared to Day 0 of Achai cows with moderate Ca level. Milk somatic cell count of Achai and crossbred cows based on blood Ca at different post-partum is reported in Table 7. From results, somatic cells have positive correlation with Ca level (p = .001), breed (p = .004) and post-partum days (p = .026), and also, the interaction was significant (p = .001). In crossbred cows, somatic cell count was significantly (p < .01) higher on Day 28 post-partum having high blood Ca as compared to Day 28 of Achai cows having moderate Ca. The association of blood Ca with other blood metabolites of Achai and crossbred cows is given in Table 8. A significant (p < .01) correlation was found between blood calcium and blood metabolites (progesterone, glucose, triglyceride and cholesterol, respectively) in both breeds. However, no association was found between blood calcium level and somatic cell count in both breeds.

TABLE 6. Milk calcium concentration (mg/l) in post-partum Achai and crossbred dairy cows

Item	Achai		Crossbred
Days	Moderate Ca	High Ca	Moderate Ca	High Ca
0	98.39ⁱ	103.76^f	105.31^def	108.80^c
7	99.18 ^hi	104.67^def	105.32^def	109.27^bc
14	100.07^ghi	105.20^def	105.96^de	111.83^a
21	100.57^gh	105.49^def	106.13^d	112.38^a
28	101.29^g	104.05^ef	105.53^def	112.75^a
35	100.54^gh	105.17^def	105.45^def	111.23^ab
Pooled SEM	0.44	0.19	0.33	0.67

Note

p-values: Breed=0.02, Ca level =0.001, Days =0.001, Breed×Ca level×Days = 0.001.
Mean values bearing different superscript in row and column are significantly different (p < .05).

TABLE 7. Milk somatic cells (n × 10⁵) count of post-partum Achai and crossbred dairy cows

Item	Achai		Crossbred
Days	Moderate Ca	High Ca	Moderate Ca	High Ca
0	2.75 ^kl	4.18^efghi	4.14^fghi	5.78^ab
7	3.27^ijkl	4.04^fghij	3.76^ghijk	5.44^abcd
14	3.90^fghijk	4.34^defghi	4.58^cdefgh	5.54^abc
21	3.88^ghijk	4.86^abcdefg	4.00^fghij	5.04^abcdef
28	2.30^l	4.68^bcdefgh	4.20 ^efghi	5.86^a
35	2.92^jkl	5.32^abcde	3.56^hijk	4.88^abcdefg
Pooled SEM	0.477	0.389	0.298	0.187

Note

p-values: Breed=0.004, Ca level =0.001, Days =0.026, Breed×Ca level×Days = 0.001.
Mean values bearing different superscript in row and column are significantly different (p < .05).

TABLE 8. Adjusted odds ratio (OR) of variables in logistic regression model for moderate and high blood calcium in Achai and crossbred cows by 35 days post-partum

Variables	SE	Significance	OR	Confidence interval (95%)
Progesterone	1.147	0.001	56.156	5.927–532.044
Glucose	0.069	0.001	1.320	1.152–1.512
Triglyceride	38.332	0.021	4.765	2.092–9.844
Somatic cells count	0.000	0.000	1.000	1.000
Cholesterol	0.244	0.017	1.791	1.110–2.890

Regression analysis of blood and milk metabolites in Achai and crossbred as in Table 9 showed that blood progesterone (OR=2.095), glucose (OR=1.024), triglyceride (OR=4.571), cholesterol (OR=1.111) and milk calcium (OR=1.141) were greater in crossbred compared to pure breed Achai cows. However, somatic cell count was independent of the genetic makeup of both breeds.

TABLE 9. Adjusted odds ratio (OR) of variables in the logistic regression model in Achai and crossbred cows by 35 days post-partum

Variables	Achai		Crossbred
	OR	Confidence interval (95%)	OR	Confidence interval (95%)
Progesterone	1	–	2.095	1.189–3.692
Glucose	1	–	1.024	0.993–1.056
Triglyceride	1	–	4.571	2.454–8.517
Somatic cells count	1	–	1.000	1.000
Cholesterol	1	–	1.111	1.063–1.161
Milk calcium	1	–	1.141	0.963–1.351

4 DISCUSSION

In the present study, an association existed between serum calcium just after calving and serum metabolites, reproductive cyclicity and subclinical mastitis. Data from the present study indicated that serum progesterone was significantly higher after parturition in crossbred and Achai cows having elevated blood Ca. From these results, it can be inferred that blood Ca is closely associated with serum progesterone concentration in dairy cows. Thus, maintaining somewhat higher blood Ca content throughout the post-partum period may speed the return of post-partum oestrous cyclicity. In a previous study, the findings of Nessim. (2010) agreed with our results where both the blood Ca and P4 decrease initially after calving, and then rise with the passage of time, so there may be some association between blood Ca and blood progesterone. The concentration of progesterone increases during post-partum period and its level is associated with early resumption of cyclicity, higher conception rate and embryo survival rate (Shin et al., 2015; Stronge et al., 2005). The faster return of post-partum oestrous cyclicity in cows with higher Ca levels after calving might be linked to higher levels of energy-related metabolites, normal uterine involution and fewer post-partum problems. Serum progesterone after post-partum is linked with increased cholesterol and less cortisol (Saqib et al., 2018), and hypocalcaemia impairs lipid metabolism exacerbating the reproductive performance (Chamberlin et al., 2013). Furthermore, progesterone increased with increasing blood Ca (Caixeta et al., 2017), which is associated with greater total cholesterol, glucose, albumin and earlier resumption of cyclicity in dairy cows (Jeong et al. (2018)).

In the present study, serum glucose increased in post-partum period with increasing blood Ca concentration and post-partum days. Serum glucose has positive correlation with post-partum days as it increases with increasing days after post-partum (Bossaert et al., 2008; Saqib et al. (2018)). Moreover, serum glucose has a positive association with post-partum days and Ca level as Ca deficiency impairs lipid metabolism resulting in higher ketone bodies formation and decreased insulin secretion because β cells of pancreas require Ca ions for insulin synthesis (Martinez and Risco 2012; Chamberlin et al., 2013; Obućinski et al., 2019a). Our results also coincide those of Jeong et al. (2018) reporting that dairy cows divided into low, moderate and high groups on the basis of blood Ca have higher glucose levels in higher Ca group. Similarly, blood metabolite concentrations during the post-partum period, as characterized by Ca concentrations after calving, are inconsistent among studies. It is possible that this is due to changes in hypocalcaemia severity, animal capabilities (genetic gains) and/or dietary and health care across investigations (Jeong et al., 2018).

In our study, cholesterol and triglyceride levels increased in post-partum period with increasing blood Ca in crossbred cows compared with Achai. Our findings are in agreement with Saqib et al. (2018) who reported that dairy cows have increased level of cholesterol and triglyceride on 7th week of the calving compared with first week, and concluded that there concentrations have significant correlation with post-partum days. Chamberlin et al. (2013) favour our results that hypocalcaemia has direct association with blood cholesterol level as hypocalcaemia results in increase ketone bodies formation due to which normal lipid metabolites like cholesterol and triglycerides level are decreased. Butler (2003) supported our results that Ca is associated with greater insulin concentration in blood, which will increase steroidogenesis as a result increase cholesterol and triglyceride synthesis. It was reported by Jeong et al. (2018) that serum cholesterol have positive correlation with blood Ca in post-partum dairy cows. Previously, Rowlands et al. (1980) observed that serum cholesterol concentration rises in dairy cows after calving. Furthermore, Molefe and Mwanza (2019) have confirmed our findings that with decreasing blood calcium concentration after calving cholesterol level is also decreased.

In our study, milk Ca was significantly correlated with blood Ca. Kimura et al. (2006) and Goff (2008) confirmed our findings that blood Ca has close association with milk Ca as loss of Ca in milk is a major threat for a dairy cow to develop hypocalcaemia (milk fever). Reported that dairy cows are adapted to Ca homeostasis after parturition due to lactation and can maintain proper level of Ca in their blood. Goings et al. (1974) also agree with our results that post-partum cows are more prone to milk fever due to loss of Ca in milk but can be prevented by providing Ca-deficient diet during transition period to adapt the proper homeostatic response. Shappell et al. (1987) contradicted our results by stating that there is no association between blood Ca and milk Ca in post-parturient cows.

In the present study, milk somatic cells increased in post-partum period with increasing serum Ca. The crossbred cows had more somatic cell count compared to pure breed Achai cows. It indicates that milk somatic cell count is closely related to the milk production and the incidence of occurrence of mastitis is lower in the local breed. In opposition to our findings, Curtis et al. (1983) and Goff (2008) concluded that hypocalcaemia is associated with occurrence of mastitis in post-partum period as Ca is required for the closure of teat sphincter preventing the entrance of microbes. Chamberlin et al. (2013) founded no differences in somatic cells in cows divided into two on the basis of blood Ca and concluded that Ca is not associated with mastitis. Moreover, Kimura et al. (2006) showed that hypocalcaemia is associated with prevalence of post-partum disorders by depleting intracellular stores of Ca in peripheral mononuclear cells in blood, thus causing immunosuppression. Recently, Jeong et al. (2018) and Neves et al. (2018) concluded that blood Ca that blood Ca after calving has no association with occurrence of mastitis. In our study, the incidence of mastitis seems to be increased in crossbred cows having higher level of blood Ca. The difference seems to depends upon breed and milk production of cows. Local breeds produce few milk compared to high-producing cows; therefore, the incidence of mastitis seems be affected by milk production level and breed of cows. Researchers have yet to uncover any link between post-partum Ca levels and the occurrence of peri- and post-partum mastitis. Uncertainty surrounds the causes of these disparities, but several variables, such as sample time and serum Ca cut-off points used in the research, may be relevant (Rodrquez et al. 2017; Neves et al., 2018).

5 CONCLUSIONS

Based on the obtained findings, the present study indicated that relatively higher serum Ca concentration (≥10 mg/dl) within 3 hr of parturition after calving was associated with greater serum energy metabolites during the post-partum period and earlier resumption of post-partum of oestrous cyclicity in crossbred dairy cows. However, the higher serum Ca level was more associated with subclinical mastitis in both pure breed Achai and crossbred dairy cows.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The authors extend their appreciation to the lab technicians involved.

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

AUTHOR CONTRIBUTIONS

R.U.K. conceptualized the data. F.S. and R.U.K. performed methodology. F.S. and R.U.K. performed software. F.S. and D.D.M. performed validation. R.U.K. formally analysed the manuscript. F.S. investigated the document. R.U.K, D.M., V.L. and V.T. performed data curation. R.U.K and V.T. wrote original draft. R.U.K. and F.S. visualized the data. R.U.K., V.L. and V.T. supervised the study. R.U.K. involved in project administration.

Open Research

DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT

Data that support the findings of this study are available upon request from the corresponding author.

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Volume57, Issue8

August 2022

Pages 849-855

Interaction of blood calcium with luteal activity, energy metabolites and somatic cells count in post-partum dairy cows

Abstract

1 INTRODUCTION

2 MATERIALS AND METHODS

2.1 Selection of experimental animals

2.2 Blood collection and analysis of progesterone, glucose, cholesterol and triglyceride

2.3 Milk ca and somatic cell count

2.4 Statistical analysis

3 RESULTS

Note

Note

Note

Note

Note

Note

4 DISCUSSION

5 CONCLUSIONS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

AUTHOR CONTRIBUTIONS

Open Research

DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT

REFERENCES

Citing Literature

References

Information

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Interaction of blood calcium with luteal activity, energy metabolites and somatic cells count in post-partum dairy cows

Abstract

1 INTRODUCTION

2 MATERIALS AND METHODS

2.1 Selection of experimental animals

2.2 Blood collection and analysis of progesterone, glucose, cholesterol and triglyceride

2.3 Milk ca and somatic cell count

2.4 Statistical analysis

3 RESULTS

Note

Note

Note

Note

Note

Note

4 DISCUSSION

5 CONCLUSIONS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

AUTHOR CONTRIBUTIONS

Open Research

DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT

REFERENCES

Citing Literature

References

Related

Information