The Degrees of Parturient Hypocalcemia and Its Relevance to Other Metabolic Profile Parameters in Downer Cows

At calving time, the cows were monitored and blood samples were taken from jugular vein of 38 cows with parturient paresis and 38 healthy ones. The levels of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, potassium, chloride, glucose, triglyceride, cholesterol, albumin, globulin and A/G ratio were assessed to find the correlation between the degree of hypocalcemia and other parameters. According to calcium concentration of milk fever cows (downers), five subgroups ( 5 mg/dl as a); 5.1-6 as b); 6.1-7 as c); 7.1- 8 as d) and 8.1 as e)) were made and parameters were analyzed statistically as well. Results indicated that serum levels of calcium and phosphorus in downers were lower and magnesium concentration was significantly higher than that of the control group (P 0.05). A significant relationship was observed between level of daily phosphorus intake and k/Ca+Mg ratio and the incidence of milk fever (p 0.05). Calcium and glucose concentration of subgroup a) was significantly lower and higher than the other subgroups. Potassium was negatively correlated with calcium in subgroups b) and d). Potassium was also negatively and positively correlated with glucose and cholesterol in subgroup b). But in subgroups d) and e), potassium was positively correlated with chloride and glucose. So, the researchers of the present study concluded that, hypophosphatemia is a major cause of prolonged sternal recumbency and poor response to routine therapy for milk fever. In addition, negative correlation between calcium and potassium concentration and also the presence of hyperglycemia in severe hypocalcemia (subgroup a)) may intervene with successful treatment as well .