Potentiometric Determination of Ionized and Total Calcium in Blood Plasma of Holstein and Jersey Cows

¹ Department of Dairy Science, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg 24061

The effects of stage of lactation and breed on total and ionized calcium in blood plasma were determined for eight Holstein and eight Jersey cows fed a diet containing .25% Ca during the dry period and fed a diet with .50% Ca after calving. Blood samples were obtained by jugular venipuncture at 2-wk intervals from 4 wk before calving through wk 10 of lactation. Total and ionized Ca contents of fresh plasma were determined potentiometrically with an ion-specific electrode. Total Ca in plasma also was determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Average concentrations determined by atomic absorption were approximately .7 mg/dl higher than those for the ion-specific electrode. Plasma total and ionized Ca were lower in both breeds at calving than any other time during the sampling period. Jersey cows had lower total Ca (7.47 mg/dl) and ionized Ca (4.25 mg/dl) than Holsteins (8.10 and 4.66 mg/dl) on day of calving. Ionized Ca as a percentage of total calcium increased from 55 to 57% at parturition and then decreased slowly to 53% at peak lactation. Changes in percentage of ionized Ca may indicate the contribution of bone resorption relative to dietary Ca in meeting the Ca requirement for lactation.

Key Words: plasma calcium • ionized calcium • parturition

Submitted on June 1, 1990
Accepted on August 17, 1990