Abstract
Recommended allowances for calcium and phosphorus are mostly based on factorial calculations partly set at the level determined adequate for giant breeds (Nutrient requirements of dogs and cats. Washington, DC, USA: The National Academies Press. 2006). Information about appropriateness of supply with both minerals during the peripartal phase is limited. From other species is known that bone mineral stores are used in addition to oral intake of calcium and phosphorus in periods of higher needs such as gestation and lactation. The aim of this study was to determine parameters of calcium and phosphorus homeostasis in female dogs receiving the recommended amount of these minerals according to NRC (Nutrient requirements of dogs and cats. Washington, DC, USA: The National Academies Press. 2006) during the peripartal phase. In five Beagles and four Foxhound crossbreds, all primiparous with a litter size of 1-8 puppies, apparent digestibility of calcium and phosphorus as well as serum parameters of mineral metabolism (total and ionised calcium, phosphorus, parathyroid hormone, bone specific alkaline phosphatase, crosslaps) was determined in the period of 12-9days before and 4-9days after parturition. The apparent digestibility of calcium was relatively low and did not differ significantly between both peripartal phases, whereas the apparent digestibility of phosphorus increased during lactation. Serum concentrations of calcium (total as well as ionised), phosphorus and parathyroid hormone did not differ between gestation and lactation. The bone resorption marker serum crosslaps increased in lactating dogs but most individual values were within the reference range for adult female dogs at maintenance. On the other hand, the bone formation marker bone specific alkaline phosphatase decreased from prepartal to postpartal phase with values clearly above reference range in both phases. Based on the results especially of the bone markers, which stayed within the reference range during the peripartal phase without indicating predominant bone resorption, we hypothesise that the applied recommended daily allowances defined for peripartal dogs are appropriate.
Highlights
It is a well-known fact that during lactation and gestation various species use their bone mineral stores in addition to oral supply with calcium and phosphorus in order to meet the increased demand. This applies for example to dairy cows, where the calcium and phosphorus homeostasis during reproduction was intensively studied (Beighle, 1999; Holtenius & Ekelund, 2005; Horst, Goff, & Reinhardt, 2005; Rowland, Capen, Young, & Black, 1972)
There is a lack of studies about the correlation between calcium and phosphorus intake and digestibility of both elements in the peripartal period on one hand and serum parameters of mineral metabolism and bone turnover on the other
Based on our findings especially of the bone markers, which stayed within the reference range during the peripartal phase and
Summary
It is a well-known fact that during lactation and gestation various species use their bone mineral stores in addition to oral supply with calcium and phosphorus in order to meet the increased demand. This applies for example to dairy cows, where the calcium and phosphorus homeostasis during reproduction was intensively studied (Beighle, 1999; Holtenius & Ekelund, 2005; Horst, Goff, & Reinhardt, 2005; Rowland, Capen, Young, & Black, 1972). An increased bone resorption during late gestation and early lactation was demonstrated by measuring osteoclastic bone marker serum crosslaps and measuring the bone mineral density using the DEXA method (Liesegang & Wichert, 2012)
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