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The Effect of Zeolite A Supplementation in the Dry Period on Periparturient Calcium, Phosphorus, and Magnesium Homeostasis

T. Thilsing-Hansen^*, R. J. Jørgensen^*, J. M. D. Enemark^* and T. Larsen

^* The Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University Department of Clinical Studies, Cattle Production Medicine Research Group, Dyrlaegevej 88, DK-1870 Frederiksberg C Denmark
Dept. of Animal Health and Welfare, Danish Institute of Agricultural Sciences, P. O. Box 50, DK-8830 Tjele, Denmark

Corresponding author:
T. Thilsing-Hansen; e-mail:
trh{at}kvl.dk.

One potential way of preventing parturient hypocalcemia in the dairy cow is to feed dry cow rations very low in calcium (<20 g/d); but, because it is difficult to formulate rations sufficiently low in calcium, this principle has been almost abandoned. Recent studies have shown, however, that it is possible to prevent milk fever, as well as subclinical hypocalcemia, by supplementing the dry cow ration with sodium aluminium silicate (zeolite A), which has the capacity to bind calcium. The aim of this study was to further evaluate the effect, if any, of such supplementation on other blood constituents, feed intake, and milk production in the subsequent lactation. A total of 31 pregnant dry cows about to enter their third or later lactation were assigned as experimental or control cows according to parity and expected date of calving. The experimental cows received 1.4 kg of zeolite pellets per d (0.7 kg of pure zeolite A) for the last 2 wk of pregnancy. Blood samples were drawn from all cows 1 wk before the expected date of calving, at calving, at d 1 and 2 after calving, and 1 wk after calving. Additionally, a urine sample was drawn 1 wk before the expected date of calving. Zeolite supplementation significantly increased the plasma calcium level on the day of calving, whereas plasma magnesium as well as inorganic phosphate was suppressed. Serum 1,25(OH)₂D was significantly increased 1 wk before the expected date of calving among the experimental cows, whereas there was no difference in the urinary excretion of the bone metabolite deoxypyridinoline between the two groups. Feed intake was decreased among the zeolite-treated cows during the last 2 wk of pregnancy. No effect was observed on milk yield, milk fat, and milk protein in the subsequent lactation. The mechanisms and interactions involved in zeolite supplementation are discussed in relation to the observed improvement in parturient calcium homeostasis and to the observed depression in blood magnesium and inorganic phosphate.

Abbreviation key: DPD = deoxypyridinoline, , PTH = parathyroid hormone, 1,25(OH)₂D = 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D

Key Words: dairy cow • parturient hypocalcemia • zeolite A • vitamin D

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