The concentration of ionized magnesium in serum during the periparturient period of non-paretic dairy cows.
Ion-selective electrodes have recently been designed for determining the ionized concentration of magnesium (Mg2+) in serum. This development may allow new insights into some metabolic diseases of cattle. For this report, the concentrations of Mg2+, total magnesium (Mgtot), ionized calcium (Ca2+), total calcium (Catot), and inorganic phosphate (P(i)) were determined in sera from seventeen 3- to 16-year-old Brown Swiss and crossed Simmental/Red Holstein cows during the periparturient period. In each animal, a transient increase of Mg2+ and Mgtot serum concentrations was observed in association with the transient decrease in serum concentrations of Ca2+, Catot and P(i) after parturition. On average, throughout the study, the serum Mg2+ concentrations were 68.5% of those of Mgtot, whereas the serum Ca2+ concentrations were 52% of those of Catot. The possible mechanisms involved in the transient increase of Mg2+ and Mgtot serum concentrations are discussed.
Riond
J L
JL
Division of Animal Nutrition, University of Zurich, Switzerland.
Kocabagli
N
N
Spichiger
U E
UE
Wanner
M
M
D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle / Q000097:blood*; D003124:Colorimetry / Q000662:veterinary; D003612:Dairying; D005260:Female; D007477:Ions; D008274:Magnesium / Q000097:blood*; D010319:Parturient Paresis / Q000097:blood; D049590:Postpartum Period / Q000097:blood*; D011247:Pregnancy
D007477:Ions; D008274:Magnesium