HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Verdaris, J. N. Articles by Evans, J. L. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Verdaris, J. N. Articles by Evans, J. L.

Diet Calcium and pH Versus Mineral Balance in Holstein Cows 84 Days Pre- to 2 Days Postpartum

Department of Animal Sciences, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08903

ABSTRACT

Sixteen dry Holstein cows were assigned four diet groups combining either .2 or 2.1% calcium and pH of either 4.5 or 6.1 in a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatemnts to study the effect of diet calcium and acidity (pH) on voluntary intake of dry matter, mineral metabolism, and blood constituents. The 86-day experiment was started 84 days prepartum and completed 2 days postpartum. Voluntary dry matter ingestion tended to be higher with higher calcium and acidity (lower pH) diets. Calcium nutriture was improved by more acid diets. More total calcium was apparently absorbed (26 and 7 g) when the diet contained 2.1% calcium, but the .2% calcium diet resulted in a higher apparent percent absorption (25 and 17%) during the dry period. An increased apparent absorption (70 and 5 g) and utilization of diet calcium occurred with the higher calcium treatment at 2 days postpartum. Magnesium and phosphorus utilizations were improved with lower diet calcium. Although experimental treatments had no significant effect on blood minerals, serum calcium decreased 12% 2 days postpartum. A better calcium nutriture was provided by the higher calcium diets when the diets maintained a positive balance for magnesium and phosphorus.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				A. Liesegang Influence of Anionic Salts on Bone Metabolism in Periparturient Dairy Goats and Sheep J Dairy Sci, June 1, 2008; 91(6): 2449 - 2460. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]