Association of different classifications of hypocalcemia with quantity and quality of colostrum, milk production, and health of Holstein dams and their calves

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of serum calcium (Ca) status in the early postpartum period on the quantity and quality of colostrum, milk production, and the health of Holstein dams and their calves. One hundred multiparous Holstein cows were enrolled in this study. To determine serum Ca status, blood samples were taken at 1 and 4 days in milk (DIM). Cows were categorized into 1 of 4 groups based on their serum Ca concentrations: normocalcemic (CON; Ca >1.87 at 1 DIM and >2.10 mmol/L at 4 DIM, n = 36), transient SCH (TSCH; Ca ≤1.87 at 1 DIM and >2.10 mmol/L at 4 DIM, n = 14), persistent SCH (PSCH; Ca ≤1.87 at 1 DIM and ≤2.10 mmol/L at 4 DIM, n = 15), or delayed SCH (DSCH; Ca >1.87 at 1 DIM and ≤2.10 mmol/L at 4 DIM, n = 35). The ROC curve was utilized to determine the optimal cut-off value for serum total Ca, maximizing both sensitivity and specificity in predicting metritis. Metabolic disorders such as dystocia, retained placenta, and culling within 60 DIM were not affected by serum Ca status in the early postpartum period (P > 0.10). However, the incidences of metritis and endometritis were different based on the serum Ca status of the cows. The PSCH cows had a higher incidence of metritis than the CON cows (P = 0.05). Also, the DSCH cows tended to have an increased risk of metritis than the CON cows (P = 0.09). However, metritis incidence in the TSCH and CON cows was similar (P = 0.83). Cows with PSCH (P = 0.07) and DSCH (P = 0.10) tended to be at a higher risk for endometritis than the CON cows. But, the incidence of endometritis in the TSCH and CON cows was not different (P = 0.50). The TSCH cows had higher milk yield than the PSCH and DSCH cows (P = 0.05). However, milk yield was not different between the TSCH and CON cows and the PSCH and DSCH and CON cows. The serum Ca status of cows had no effect on colostrum volume and its quality, age and weight of weaning, and average daily gain of calves (P > 0.10). The proportion of calves experiencing failure of passive transfer (FPT) was greater in the PSCH group than in the CON group (P = 0.03). Also, the FPT tended to be higher in the DSCH calves compared to the CON calves (P = 0.10). However, the FPT in the TSCH and CON calves was not different (P = 0.83). The incidence of diarrhea tended to be higher in the PSCH and DSCH calves compared to the CON calves (P = 0.10). However, diarrhea incidence between the TSCH and CON calves was similar (P = 0.97). Overall, the findings of this study suggest that cows with TSCH showed better adaptation to lactation, experienced a lower occurrence of diseases and produced higher milk compared to PSCH and DSCH cows. Furthermore, despite the similar quantity and quality of colostrum across all groups, the PSCH and DSCH groups displayed a greater proportion of calves experiencing FPT and diarrhea in comparison to the TSCH group.