Potential use of 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol for prevention of parturient paresis.
Twelve cows, at least third parity, were assigned randomly to either a control or treatment group. Treated cows received .4 mg of the vitamin D metabolite, 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol intramusculary in 5 ml corn oil. Intramuscular injections were started 5 days before predicted calving with reinjections every 5 days until calving. Incidence of parturient paresis was 0 and 33% (2 of 6) in the treated and control groups. Response to treatment was rapid with elevated calcium in serum approximately 12 h postinjection. Treatment maintained or elevated calcium and phosphorus concentrations in serum during the critical period, 24 h pre- to 48 h postpartum, when milk fever is most likely to occur. There was, however, no significant difference between treatments at 72 h postpartum. Based on these observations 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol holds promise as a preventative of parturient paresis; however, further studies are needed on application and safety.
D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000097:blood; D002417:Cattle; D004100:Dihydroxycholecalciferols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006887:Hydroxycholecalciferols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D010319:Parturient Paresis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010758:Phosphorus / Q000097:blood; D011247:Pregnancy
D004100:Dihydroxycholecalciferols; D006887:Hydroxycholecalciferols; D010758:Phosphorus; D002118:Calcium