ABSTRACT
The study was carried out in Chittagong district to find out the calcium levels in the blood serum in late pregnant and post partum cow. The study revealed that the levels of calcium in blood serum to the late pregnant cows were 8.45±0.16 mg/dl and post partum cows were 7.95±0.56 mg/dl.
The serum calcium level is slightly higher in late pregnant cow than in post partum cow.
Key words: Blood serum, Calcium, Late pregnancy, Post partum cow.
INTRODUCTION
In domestic animals, trace elements play an important role in growth, reproduction and their livestock productivity. Despite this fact, mineral deficiency or imbalances are still frequently encountered phenomena almost any where in the world that cause serious economic loss.(Dakka and Abdel-All,1992,Gerloff and Swenson,1996. Uysal,1998). In cattle, diseases such as parturient paresis, milk fever and left-side and right-side displacement of the abomasums (hypocalcaemia) are characterized by electrolyte deficiencies and generally become obvious in the first phase of lactation. Their negative economic impact is considerable (Dakka and Abdel-All,1992, Fleming et al.,1992; Bjorkman,1994).
.It is well known that providing adequate amounts of essential minerals to meet Animal requirement is critical to maximize productivity and the health of cattle (Manske, 2000), (National Research council, 2002)
Calcium deficiency causes deplesion of calcium in bone. (Becker et al.,1933) observed that cows feed roughages deficient in calcium suffered broken pelvis.
For this reason, elements such as calcium containing minerals are importance for cattle both during their growth and after they have reached maturity (Shupe et al.,1988; Uysal,1998).However, in quite a few cases, electrolyte imbalances are difficult to detect because the animals affected show no clinical symptoms ( Dakka and Abdel-All,1992).
With the development of automated laboratory instrument the use of certain blood parameters as indicators of the physiological, Nutritional, metabolic and clinical status of farm animals is gaining a wider application. In addition, methodology and reagents are becoming more
standardized with the use of commercially available diagnostic kits (Doomenbul et al., 1988).
For the evaluation of clinical tests in veterinary laboratories, a reference basis of normal values of clinically healthy farm animals is essential. It is well known that variables such as breed, stage of growth, age, reproductive status and lactation have an influence on many blood parameters (Rodostits et al., 2007).
Consulting organizations recommended by the Working Groups of the Agricultural Research Commission (ARC) have also stated the necessity to determine the major minerals in cattle breeding as a matter of priority (Shupe et al.,1988).Incase the increased demand for electrolytes during pregnancy, birth and other physiologically demanding events cannot be met by the animals ration, the skeletal system serves as an important source for plasma calcium demand in order to preserve its concentration (Shupe et al.,1988;Mosel et al.,1994).
Because of this protective mechanism, the mineral concentration in blood is no good indicator for level of mineral concentrations in animals (Beighle et al., 1994).For a number of reasons, the blood samples taken for the determination of mineral concentrations do not provide reliable results. A variety of factors such as exercise, excitation during blood sampling, the hour of the day, the feeding hours, the season, the animal age and the point the blood is drawn from have an influences on the results(Beighle et al.,1994; Uysal,1998).Mineral deficiency observed in the blood serum is of doubtful value as an indicator of correct calcium and phosphorus levels in an animal due to the fact that they are replenished from mineral depots in the bones(Beighle et al.,1994). For this reason, researchers emphasize the importance of measuring both the
mineral levels in blood serum and in the bones in order to obtain a correct picture of the mineral concentrations of the entire body. This guideline to mineral content measurements of the body has led to a demand for new researches on this subject (Mosel et al., 1994; Beighle et al.,1994). The ensuing investigations have yielded significant results for the clinical evaluation of metabolic diseases (Beighle et al.,1994).
Objectives of this study:
Determination of Ca concentration in blood serum of late pregnant cow.
Determination of Ca concentration in serum level of postpartum cow.
Compare of Calcium level before and after parturition in cow.
To know the diseases relating to Ca deficiency in cow.
To know the clinical signs of hypocalcemia in cow.
REVIEW OF LITERATURE
There are a good number of investigations regarding serum calcium level in cow. Some of these are mentioned below-
Circulation levels of macro minerals in the cattle (Bos taurus) have been well documented. The blood plasma calcium is 9 to 10 mg/dL in adults and slightly higher values in calves, while phosphorus normally is 4 to 8 mg/dL and 6 to 8 mg/dL for growing cattle (National Research Council, 2001).
Examination of mineral concentrations in blood revealed calcium concentration in all regions were in the normal reference value of 9.7- 12.4 mg/dl. (Carlson et at.,1960).
The plasmatic calcium level was determined 14 cows which reference range 2.25-3 0 mmol/LS (Jagos et al.,1977).
Plasma calcium may range from 9-12 mg/100ml of blood plasma, with most values ranging between 10 and 11mg/100ml (Knox et al.,1941).
Comparison of Mineral Levels in Bone and Blood serum of cattle in Northwestern Turkey. Blood and bone samples were collected from 100 herds of cattle and calcium (Ca), Phosphorus (P) and Magnesium (Mg) proportions were calculated. Ca, P and Mg in bone samples of cattle in Northwest of Turkey were 333.23±163.02, 132.76±17.84 and 2.38±0.32 mg/g respectively while Mineral levels of blood serum were 10.80±0.71, 7.88±1.05 and 2.33±0.68 mg/dL in the same order.(Remzi Gonul et al.,2009)
Plasmatic calcium in cows in the 9th month pregnancy have been found 7.3±0.13 mg/100 ml, 1.82±0.03 mmol/l (Lane et al.,1965).
Plasmatic calcium in cows in the late pregnancy have been found 9.5±0.5 mg/100 ml, 2.37±0.12 mmol/l.(Frerking 1979).
Levels of Macro and Micro elements in blood plasma of late pregnant cows and their foetuses delivered by Caesarean section the calcium level 2.49±0.32 mmol/l (V.Dvorak et al.,1980).
Blood serum levels of calcium in normal parturient cows and cows with parturient paresis 10.34 mg/dl and 8.4 mg/d.l.(T.H.Bloosseb et al.,1987).
Post partum serum calcium level 3 days of 9.94±0.92 mg/dl and 7 days of 10.41±1.10 mg/dl which is slightly lower fresh animal.(J.W.Hibbs et al.,1978).
Serum ionized calcium concentrations less that 4.0 mg/dl on the day of parturition with or without clinical signs of paresis caused milk fever (hypocalcemia). (Garrett R. Oetzel, 1995)
Variation of serum macro mineral concentrations in different ages of growing Yaks Ca level 6-16 month 10.05±0.8 mg/dl, 18-24 month 10.32 ± 0.77 and 30-40 month 10.45 ± 0.79. (Mingiang Wang et al., 2007).
Injected parathormone hormone intramuscularly into the cattle and produced an increase in blood serum calcium from a normal level of 11.1 mg. percent to 15.6 mg percent 13 hour after injection (Alwall et al., 1944)
Estrogens and androgens play a role in calcium and citric acid metabolism makes possible the speculation that they are responsible in some way for changes occurring in citric acid calcium levels of the blood at the time of parturition, since levels of the steroidal hormones are undergoing marked changes during this period (Shorr et al.,1942).
Bone mineral concentration Ca may serve as a powerful tool for prognosis of the development of metabolic diseases (Beighle et al.,1994).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Study area: The study was conducted at Chittagong districts.
Study population: A total of 6 cows were selected for this study. Among 6 cows, 3 were Deshi and 3 were crossed breed (Holstein X Deshi) cows having age ranged from 3 to 5 years old. Three cows were in late pregnant and rest three cows were in postpartal. Among pregnant cows, one cow was 8 month gestation period and another 2 cows were in 9 month gestation period and in 3 postpartal selected cows, one cow was in day 3 of parturition and another 2 cows were in day 6 of parturition. The studied animal was kept in traditional management system at rural level.
There were no extra care provided them.
Blood sampling: Approximately 5mL blood collected from the jugular vein puncture. The samples were allowed to clot for 4 hours in room temperature and then the serum portions were separated from the blood by centrifugation. The serum after centrifugation was stored in single test tubes at -18C until processing.
Laboratory test: The concentrations of calcium were determined in the blood serum by the Humalyzer (automated biochemical analyzer) model 3000.
Result analysis: The data were analyzed by using the SPSS 11.5 programe.
Picture 1: Collection of blood
Picture: Laboratory test by automated biochemical analyzer
RESULTS
Blood serum calcium level was found 8.7mg/dl in cow in 8 month gestation period and 8.2±0.16 mg/dl serum calcium level in cows having 9 month gestation period (Table 1). The average serum calcium level in pregnant cow was 8.45±0.16 mg/dl. (Table 1).
Table1: Blood serum calcium level in cow before parturition.
Age of gestation (month)
Ca(mg/dl) ± SD
G1=8 (N=1) 8.7
8.45±0.16
G2 =9 (N=2) 8.2±0.16
(Note: N=Number of cow.)
Table 2 showed the serum calcium level in cows immediate after
parturition. Blood serum calcium level was found 8.1mg/dl and 7.8±0.56
mg/dl in cow having day 3 and 6 of post partal period respectively. The average blood serum calcium level in post partal cow was 7.95±0.56 mg/dl.
Table2: Blood serum calcium level in cow after parturition.
Age of parturition (days) Ca(mg/dl) ± SD
G1=3(N=1) 8.1
7.95±0.56
G2 =6(N=2) 7.8±0.56
(Note: N=Number of cow.)
Table3: Variation of serum calcium levels before and after parturition of cow.
Period Number of animal Ca(mg/dl)
Before parturition 3 8.45±0.16
After parturition 3 7.95±0.56
Fig: 1 Comparative status of calcium in late pregnant and postpartum cow.
DISCUSSION
In this study, the level of calcium in the blood have been determined both in the period of late pregnancy and just after parturition. The studied result showed that the serum Ca level in cow in late pregnant and immediate after parturition was 8.45±0.16mg/dl and 7.95±0.56 mg/dl, respectively. The values of plasmatic calcium in cow in the late pregnancy have been found 9.9-10.4 mg/100ml, 2.47-2.6 mmol/l (Altman and Dittmer 1974). Lane et al.(1968) found the serum Ca level in late pregnant cow was7.3±0.13 mg/100ml, 1.82±0.03 mmol/l.
Frerking (1979) also observed the blood serum Ca level in pregnant cow was 9.5±0.5mg/100ml, 2.37±0.12mmol/l. The studied result more or less similar to their observation.
Hibbs et al.,(1978) found that the serum Ca level in post partal cow (day3) was 9.94±0.92 mg/dl. He also stated that the serum Ca level in cow having (day7) post partum was 10.41±1.10 mg/dl which is higher than this present result was 7.95±0.56 mg/dl for the 6 of postpartum cow.
In this study there was a slight variation of level of calcium between late pregnancy and post partal period. In post partal period there was a decreased Ca level was observed (7.95±0.56 mg/dl) compare to late pregnant period (8.45±0.16mg/dl).
Calcium level normally decrease in post partal period than the fresh cow (Niedermeir et al,.1949.)
In postpartal period huge amount of Ca drain out through colostrums followed by milk. It’s the main cause of reduced Calcium level after parturition. However in this study the level of calcium was below normal (10-12mg/dl) in pregnant period as well as in parturient period.
Kolb, (1979) found that average 5g of calcium is daily transferred from the maternal to fetal body.
Garrett R et al., (1995) observed that serum calcium concentration less than 8.0 mg/dl on any day post calving with or without clinical signs of paresis caused hypocalcemia (Milk fever) of the cow.
G.M.Ward et al., (1980) found that the parturient paresis cow fall their calcium level in blood than normal level which is less than 6.5mg/dl.
D.C Blood et al.,(1960) observed that serum Ca level will be as low as 5.6mg/dl then occurrence of tetany, convulsion, paresis, illthrift and failure to respond to anthelmentics.
Calcium level decreased to the post partum period due to parity, pre- calving diet management, calving month, calving difficulty, heavily lactation animal, parathyroid hormone insuffiency and vit D deficiency of the cow.
Clarence et al., (1991) reported that all type of concentrate feeds and non legume forage are relatively deficient in calcium and the study population of cow in Chittagong, the farmers mainly provide the concentrate feeds and non legume forage to their cows.
The studied result indicated that all the cows both in late pregnant and in postpartal period were hypocalcemic through the studied animals were not shown any abnormalities or hypocalcemic symptom during the period of sample collection.
Limitation
Very limited numbers of sample were analyzed.
Laboratory facility was minimum due to lacking of reagent.
CONCLUSION
The result concluded that the calcium level in the blood serum of cows in postpartal and pregnant period was below normal level.
The postpartal serum calcium level is lower than pregnant cow.
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Comparison of Calcium level in Blood Serum of cattle in late pregnancy and postpartal period
T his report is submitted by:
Roll No: 2003/29 Reg. No: 125 Intern ID: F-27 Session: 2002-2003
This clinical report is presented for the fulfillment of the degree of Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
Chittagong Veterinary and Animal Sciences University Khulshi, Chittagong-4202
June-2009
Comparison of Calcium level in Blood Serum of cattle in late pregnancy and postpartal period
This clinical report is submitted as per approved style and content
………... ……...…...………
Signature of Author Signature of Supervisor
(MD Arafat Hossain) (DR. Azizunnesa)
Roll No: 2003/29 Assistant Professor
Reg.No:125 Dept. of Medicine and Surgery
Session: 2002-2003 Date:
Date:
INDEX
SL. NO. CONTENTS PAGE
01 Acknowledgement i
02 Abstract 1
03 Introduction 2-4
04 Review of Literature 5-6
05 Materials and Methods 7-8
06 Results 9-10
07 Discussion 11-12
08 Limitation 13
09 Conclusion 14
10 References 15-16
PHOTOGRAPH
Picture
No. Tropic Page
01 Collection of Blood 08
02 Laboratory test by automated biochemical analyzer
08
GRAPH
Graph No.
Tropic Page
01 Comparative status of calcium in late pregnant and postpartum cow.
10
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The author is ever grateful and indebted to the Almighty Allah without whose grace; it would have never been possible to pursue this study in this field of Science and to complete this clinical report writing for the Degree of Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.
The author express his deepest sense of gratitude, heartfelt respect and immense indebtedness to authors reverend and supervisor DR.Azizunesa, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Medicine and Surgery, Chittagong Veterinary And Animal Sciences University for her scholastics guidance, valuable suggestions, sympathetic supervision, valuable advice, constant inspiration, and constructive criticism in all phases of this study and preparing the manuscript.
The author would like to express his deep sense of gratitude and gratefulness to the Internship Coordinator Md.Ashraf Ali Bishwas, Associate Professor, Dept. of Animal Science and Animal Nutrition, Chittagong Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, for his constant inspiration and valuable suggestion for completion of the report work.
The author also expresses his gratitude to all other teachers of the university for their kind co-operation and help throughout the tenure of the study.
The author i
