Biomaterial Database

Potentiometric determination of ionized and total calcium in blood plasma of Holstein and Jersey cows. 1991

H T Ballantine, and J H Herbein

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.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D006996	Hypocalcemia	Reduction of the blood calcium below normal. Manifestations include hyperactive deep tendon reflexes, Chvostek's sign, muscle and abdominal cramps, and carpopedal spasm. (Dorland, 27th ed)	Hypocalcemias
D007743	Labor, Obstetric	The repetitive uterine contraction during childbirth which is associated with the progressive dilation of the uterine cervix (CERVIX UTERI). Successful labor results in the expulsion of the FETUS and PLACENTA. Obstetric labor can be spontaneous or induced (LABOR, INDUCED).	Obstetric Labor
D007774	Lactation	The processes of milk secretion by the maternal MAMMARY GLANDS after PARTURITION. The proliferation of the mammary glandular tissue, milk synthesis, and milk expulsion or let down are regulated by the interactions of several hormones including ESTRADIOL; PROGESTERONE; PROLACTIN; and OXYTOCIN.	Lactation, Prolonged,Milk Secretion,Lactations, Prolonged,Milk Secretions,Prolonged Lactation,Prolonged Lactations
D010319	Parturient Paresis	A disease of pregnant and lactating cows and ewes leading to generalized paresis and death. The disease, which is characterized by hypocalcemia, occurs at or shortly after parturition in cows and within weeks before or after parturition in ewes.	Milk Fever, Animal,Animal Milk Fever,Fever, Animal Milk,Pareses, Parturient,Paresis, Parturient,Parturient Pareses
D011199	Potentiometry	Solution titration in which the end point is read from the electrode-potential variations with the concentrations of potential determining ions. (From McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms, 4th ed)
D011247	Pregnancy	The status during which female mammals carry their developing young (EMBRYOS or FETUSES) in utero before birth, beginning from FERTILIZATION to BIRTH.	Gestation,Pregnancies
D001947	Breeding	The production of offspring by selective mating or HYBRIDIZATION, GENETIC in animals or plants.	Breedings
D002118	Calcium	A basic element found in nearly all tissues. It is a member of the alkaline earth family of metals with the atomic symbol Ca, atomic number 20, and atomic weight 40. Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body and combines with phosphorus to form calcium phosphate in the bones and teeth. It is essential for the normal functioning of nerves and muscles and plays a role in blood coagulation (as factor IV) and in many enzymatic processes.	Coagulation Factor IV,Factor IV,Blood Coagulation Factor IV,Calcium-40,Calcium 40,Factor IV, Coagulation
D002417	Cattle	Domesticated bovine animals of the genus Bos, usually kept on a farm or ranch and used for the production of meat or dairy products or for heavy labor.	Beef Cow,Bos grunniens,Bos indicus,Bos indicus Cattle,Bos taurus,Cow,Cow, Domestic,Dairy Cow,Holstein Cow,Indicine Cattle,Taurine Cattle,Taurus Cattle,Yak,Zebu,Beef Cows,Bos indicus Cattles,Cattle, Bos indicus,Cattle, Indicine,Cattle, Taurine,Cattle, Taurus,Cattles, Bos indicus,Cattles, Indicine,Cattles, Taurine,Cattles, Taurus,Cow, Beef,Cow, Dairy,Cow, Holstein,Cows,Dairy Cows,Domestic Cow,Domestic Cows,Indicine Cattles,Taurine Cattles,Taurus Cattles,Yaks,Zebus
D002418	Cattle Diseases	Diseases of domestic cattle of the genus Bos. It includes diseases of cows, yaks, and zebus.	Bovine Diseases,Bovine Disease,Cattle Disease,Disease, Bovine,Disease, Cattle,Diseases, Bovine,Diseases, Cattle