Comparative study of Calcium, Phosphorus and Magnesium levels during peripartum in dairy cows in different productive systems in Uruguay and Spain

Abstract

The goal of the present work was to study the variations of Ca, P and Mg during peripartum of dairy cows in  two different productive systems: Intensive (I) (Spain) and Semi-intensive grazing (SI) (Uruguay). All animals were pregnant multiparous Holstein cows, with a mean age of 4 years, and an average body weight (BW) of 574 kg. Group I was composed of 32 cows, 16 with calvings during spring and 16 in autumn. The SI group composed of 64 animals, 22 with calvings during autumn and 42 with calvings during spring. Clinical evaluation and productive monitoring were performed, and blood samples were taken every 7 days from 30 days before calving up to 30 days postpartum. Minerals blood concentrations during the peripartum in both management systems were compared, according to the physiological state of animals and the season. A productive system effect in Ca and Mg levels and in Ca / P ratio was detected. Changes in the minerals levels were detected in the vicinity of partum, and a calving season effect (autumn-spring) was also observed in Mg levels.