Postpartum Plasma Profile of Calcium, Phosphorus and Magnesium in Holstein Friesian Cows Without and with Hormone Therapy Patel P. M., Dhami A. J.*, Kavani F.S. Department of Animal Reproduction, Gynaecology and Obstetrics Gujarat College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry Anand Agricultural University, Anand-388 001, India *E-mail: dhami_1659@yahoo.com
Online published on 11 January, 2012. Abstract Recently calved HF cows (24) of University farm were monitored for weekly plasma profile of calcium, phosphorus and magnesium from the day of calving till the 21st week of postpartum without and with GnRH (Receptal) and PGF2α (Lutalyse) treatment at 7th week in anoestrus and suboestrus cows (six each, keeping equal number as controls), respectively. The plasma calcium levels in suboestrus cows were significantly higher as compared to anoestrus cows at 7th, 8th, 17th and 21st week postpartum, including overall mean (8.17±0.08 vs 7.72±0.08 mg/dl), while phosphorus levels were lower throughout the postpartum period, but varied significantly at calving and then at 1st–3rd and 13th week postpartum (overall mean 6.96±0.07 vs 7.12±0.06 mg/dl). The calcium and phosphorus levels were low at calving in all the groups (GnRH/PGF2α treatment, control and their pooled groups), and increased linearly and significantly throughout the postpartum period in suboestrus cows. Furthermore, the cows of GnRH treatment group, in comparison to control, had significantly lower calcium levels at 1st, 5th, 8th and 19th weeks postpartum, but this trend was inversed between PGF2α treatment and control groups. The mean plasma Ca:P ratio of the suboestrus (PGF2α) group was higher throughout the postpartum period as compared to the anoestrus (GnRH) group, and it differed significantly at 13th, 17th–18th and 21st week postpartum. The magnesium levels of anoestrus and suboestrus cows did not differ significantly at any of the intervals postpartum, including the overall pooled values (2.95±0.04 vs 3.14±0.01 mEq/L). Throughout the postpartum period magnesium levels were lower in GnRH treatment than the control group, but varied significantly only at 5th–10th and 13th–15th week postpartum, whereas it was higher in PGF2α treatment than the control group, and differed significantly from calving to 4th week and again from 14th–20th week postpartum. The trend reflected physiological/homeostatic mechanism of mineral metabolism and hormone GnRH/PGF2α did not influence it. Top Keywords Hormone therapy, Mineral profile, Holstein cows, Postpartum period. Top |