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Effects of High Levels of Vitamin D₂ Fed Prepartum on the Incidence of Parturient Paresis in Dairy Cattle

Department of Animal Science, University of Maine, Orono

ABSTRACT

This investigation was conducted to determine the value of high-potency irradiated ergosterol (vitamin D₂) as a preventive for parturient paresis. The investigation involved 32 herds of Jersey cattle and data on over 500 individual parturitions. The daily feeding of 30 million U.S.P. units of vitamin D₂ markedly reduced the incidence of parturient paresis in multiparous Jersey cows. Data obtained show that the incidence in previous-history animals following treatment was 23.07%; whereas, the incidence among control animals was 61.29%. Data obtained show that the incidence in treatment animals without previous histories was 6.45%; whereas, the incidence among control animals was 22.58%. The effectiveness of various prepartal levels of vitamin D₂ on the incidence of parturient paresis was determined. In this investigation, prepartal levels affording the greatest protection for animals with and without a previous history were within a range of 60 to 75 million U.S.P. units, which is the equivalent of from two to three days prepartal feeding at the daily rate of 30 million U.S.P. units. An unusually high incidence of parturient paresis was found in previous-history animals completing the prescribed treatment period one or more days prior to parturition. Presumptive but not conclusive evidence indicating the possible suppression of parathyroid activity in these animals is suggested. Another phase of this investigation entailed the measurement of the changes in blood serum calcium and phosphorus levels in animals receiving the preventive treatment. The prepartal and postpartal changes in blood serum calcium and phosphorus were variable and, because of the limited data available, it was difficult to describe any definite trends.