title: Relation between intravascular electrolyte level and course of parturition in dairy cows.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the intravascular electrolyte status in dairy cows with respect to age and different courses of parturition to clarify etiological factors influencing peri- or intrapartal imbalances of electrolyte homeostasis.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 64 cows at birth were evaluated (primiparous n = 34, pluriparous n = 30). Thirty-three cows showed normal delivery, while 31 cows had a complicated birth. Blood samples were collected intra partum (i. p.) and 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 16, 24 h post partum (p. p.) as well as [2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 10 days p. p. and levels of total calcium (Catotal), ionized calcium (Caion), inorganic phosphate (Pa), Mg, Na, K, Cl were determined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results revealed that electrolytes show great fluctuation during and immediately p. p. in relation to age. Already during parturition pluriparous cows had a lower Catotal and Pa concentration compared to primiparous animals. Cows with dystocia exhibited a more intensive and longer lasting decrease of Ca compared to cows with normal birth. In relation to age and severity of birth Pa concentration showed a differing but basically typical course for this electrolyte. Mg, Na, K and Cl concentrations were higher during and immediately after birth compared to p. p. values. Until day 10 p. p. these electrolyte concentrations declined more in older cows with dystocia compared to younger animals. However, the influence of dystocia on concentration of these electrolytes was milder in contrast to Ca and Pa.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In summary, primarily older cows are predisposed to imbalances of electrolyte homeostasis intra partum and at the beginning of the lactation. These changes are potentiated in case of complications during parturition. Intravascular Catotal, Caion as well as Pa are most severely affected.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results may constitute the basis for a comprehensive metaphylaxis during the peripartal period, especially in cows after dystocia, to positively influence the early convalescence phase.
authors.affiliation: Prof. Dr. Kamil Seyrek Intas, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Uludag University, Gorukle Campus, 16059 Bursa, Turkey, Email: profdrkamil@gmail.com.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Seyrek-Intas
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Seyrek-Intas
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Failing
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Yilmazbas Mecitoglu
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bostedt
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D003612:Dairying; D004420:Dystocia / Q000097:blood / Q000662:veterinary; D004573:Electrolytes / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006996:Hypocalcemia / Q000097:blood / Q000662:veterinary; D036801:Parturition / Q000097:blood*; D049590:Postpartum Period; D011247:Pregnancy
chemical_list: D004573:Electrolytes
keywords: Electrolytes; dairy cow; dystocia; hypocalcaemia; puerperium