ASSOCIATION BETWEEN PLASMATIC GLUCOSE AND UREA IN DAIRY COWS WITH SUBCLINICAL HYPOCALCEMIA

Mayasari, Novi, Nurjanah, Laela Tien, Setyowati, Endang Yuni, Arfiana, Andri, Sitanggang, Fajar, Salman, Lia Budimulyati

Abstract
   During transition period, cells epithelial mammary gland differentiates massively in order to support milk production. The major mineral in milk is calcium, excreted in large amounts, while simultaneously maintaining maternal health and physiology (including energy status). The objective of this study is to evaluate the association between plasma glucose and urea in dairy cows with subclinical hypocalcaemia. In total 22 Holstein were used in this study. To analyze the association between glucose and urea, in total 12 Holstein dairy cows with subclinical hypocalcemia (Ca<0.1 mmol/L at d 2) were used in the experiment. Cows were blocked based on calving date and parity. Blood samples were collected approximately on d 7 postpartum for measurement of plasma glucose and urea nitrogen. Disease occurrence was determined based on individual treatment records. Pearson correlations coefficient were used to analyze the correlation between blood metabolites. Subclinical hypocalcemia cows had normal concentration of glucose and urea on d 7. The results shown that the concentration of glucose as indicator for energy status were negatively correlated with plasma urea. No differences were observed between individual of cows in the occurrence of subclinical and clinical hypocalcemia, clinical mastitis, displaced abomasum, dystocia, retained placenta, metritis. These data suggest that early lactation energy status indicated by glucose and urea differs among cows with subclinical hypocalcemia.

Key words: subclinical hypocalcemia, energy status, transition cow