Abstract
The aim of this study was to assess the association of hypocalcemia at calving with health and performance of Holstein cows and their calves. Data were collected January 1st 2017 to December 31st 2020. A total of 431 lactating Holstein Friesian cows (118 primiparous and 313 multiparous) from a research of hypocalcemia was 2 groups (hypo and non-hypo). The overall prevalence of hypocalcemia was 3.4% for first-lactation cows and 18% for multiparous cows. Lactating dairy cows with hypocalcemia had greater proportion of cows with Retained Fetal Membranes (RFM) metritis and culling within 60 days in milk (DIM), compared with non-hypocalcemia respectively. For the first 2 official milk tests milk yield and components (% fat, % protein on SCC) did not differ between hypo and non-hypo cows. The days in milk at first service, mastitis, dystocia and pregnancy at first service were not different between hypo and non-hypo groups. The proportion of stillbirth, survival at 60 days of age in calves did not differ between calves born from hypo or non-hypo cows. Calves born from Hypo cows had greater incidence of diarrhea (38.3%) than calves born (22.3%) from non-hypo cows. The results of this study show that hypocalcemia in calving has significant health implications for both dams and their calves.
Highlights
The dairy cow undergoes a transition from non-lactating to lactating at calving
The aim of this study was to assess the association of hypocalcemia at calving with health and performance of Holstein cows and their calves
The animal is tremendously challenged to maintain calcium homeostasis. Those that fail can develop hypocalcemia, a common metabolic disorder in dairy cows that leads to an increased risk of detrimental health
Summary
The animal is tremendously challenged to maintain calcium homeostasis. Those that fail can develop hypocalcemia, a common metabolic disorder in dairy cows that leads to an increased risk of detrimental health. Serum calcium concentration in adult cow is maintained above 2.0 mmol/L (Martin-Tereso and Verstegen, 2011). The condition for pregnancy is exchanged for an addition for the colostrum and milk production. This increases the total need of calcium by approximately 100% (Ferneberg, 2010). Due to the start of colostrum production and increasing calcium demand the nadir of serum concentration occurs 12 to 24 hours after parturition (Goff, 2008)
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