Abstract
Hypocalcemia and impaired immune function are recognized risk factors for clinical disease in the transition period of dairy cows. At the onset of lactation, calcium homeostasis is disrupted by redirection of calcium for colostrum production, which triggers a substantial decrease in the blood calcium concentration for 1 to 4 days. Blood calcium concentration is associated with neutrophil function, which turn is associated with the risk of retained placenta, metritis, and mastitis. Negative Dietary CationAnion Difference (DCAD) diets fed during the prepartum period increase postpartum blood calcium concentrations and reduce the risk of disease.
 Our objectives were to assess the effects of a negative dietary cation-anion difference (DCAD) on phagocytosis (P) and oxidative burst (OB) function of circulating neutrophils and to determine the associations of serum ionized (iCa) and total calcium concentrations (tCa) with P and OB. We hypothesized that multiparous cows fed a negative DCAD prepartum would have greater serum ionized (iCa) and total calcium concentrations (tCa), and thus improved P and OB.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: American Association of Bovine Practitioners Conference Proceedings
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
