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 Littledike, E. T. Articles by Horst, R. L. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Littledike, E. T. Articles by Horst, R. L.

Vitamin D₃Toxicity in Dairy Cows¹

National Animal Disease Center, Agricultural Research Science and Education Administration, US Department of Agriculture, P. O. Box 70 Ames, IA 50010

ABSTRACT

Large parenteral doses of vitamin D₃ (15 to 17.5 X 10⁶ IU vitamin D₃) were associated with prolonged hypercalcemia, hyperphosphatemia, and large increases of vitamin D₃ and its metabolites in the blood plasma of nonlactating nonpregnant and pregnant Jersey cows. Calcium concentrations 1 day postpartum were higher in cows treated with vitamin D₃ about 32 days prepartum (8.8 mg/100 ml) than in control cows (5.5 mg/100 ml). None of the cows treated with vitamin D₃ showed signs of milk fever during the peripartal period; however, 22% of the control cows developed clinical signs of milk fever during this period. Signs of vitamin D₃ toxicity were not observed in nonlactating nonpregnant cows; however, pregnant cows commonly developed severe signs of vitamin D₃ toxicity and 10 of 17 cows died. There was widespread metastatic calcification in the cows that died. Because of the extreme toxicity of vitamin D₃ in pregnant Jersey cows and the low margin of safety between doses of vitamin D₃ that prevent milk fever and doses that induce milk fever, we concluded that vitamin D₃ cannot be used practically to prevent milk fever when injected several weeks prepartum.

¹ Mention of a trade name, proprietary product, or vendor does not constitute a guarantee or warranty by the US Department of Agriculture and does not imply its approval to the exclusion of other products or vendors that may be suitable.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				M. S. Taylor, K. F. Knowlton, M. L. McGilliard, W. M. Seymour, and J. H. Herbein Blood Mineral, Hormone, and Osteocalcin Responses of Multiparous Jersey Cows to an Oral Dose of 25-Hydroxyvitamin D3 or Vitamin D3 Before Parturition J Dairy Sci, June 1, 2008; 91(6): 2408 - 2416. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. L. Montgomery, M. L. Galyean, R. L. Horst, K. J. Morrow Jr., J. R. Blanton Jr., D. B. Wester, and M. F. Miller Supplemental vitamin D3 concentration and biological type of beef steers. I. Feedlot performance and carcass traits J Anim Sci, July 1, 2004; 82(7): 2050 - 2058. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]