"Factors influencing the postpartum blood serum concentration of inorganic phosphate in Holstein Friesian cows" Parturient paresis is one of the most important metabolic diseases in the peripartum period in Holstein Friesian cows. The cause of this is a low blood calcium concentration. The Serum phosphate concentration is also thought to play an important role in the occurrence of milk fever. In the present study, blood samples from 291 cows were taken after calving over a period of 24 hours and the values of calcium and inorganic phosphate in the serum were recorded. The aim of this study is to use these records to describe the diurnal evolution of phosphate post partum in the blood serum, and to determine the influence of cow-associated and management-associated factors on the phosphate concentration in the serum. The study was carried out on a dairy farm in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern with 2260 cows in the period from July 2014 to March 2015. Blood samples were taken from the animals from the first lactation at intervals of 2 hours. The animals were randomly divided into different groups. These groups are composed of animals with similar calving time and correspond to the different research questions addressed in this study. It is found that, the number of lactation has a significant influence on the serum Phosphate concentration. Animals from the third lactation show significantly lower values. In the present study, a few animals of the second lactation received a calcium bolus. This treatment method does not appear to have any effect on the concentration of phosphate. The administration of a phosphorus bolus compared to a calcium bolus also shows no significant differences in the phosphate concentration. In contrast, animals that received an intravenous calcium Infusion post partum show a significantly faster rise in serum phosphate values and thus higher values over a course of 24 hours. A reduced milking frequency and a reduced amount of colostrum milked have a significant influence on serum phosphate levels. Other animals were drenched with mineral-enriched water p.p.. This treatment method has no significant influence on the phosphate concentration. Another significant factor influencing the serum phosphate concentration is the choice of blood vessel for sampling. In the present study, the concentrations of phosphate in blood samples from the jugular vein are significantly lower than in samples from the V./A. coccygea or the udder vein. This should be taken into account when taking blood samples. The study shows that more than 50 % of animals with hypophosphataemia also have hypocalcemia. A connection between the occurrence of parturient paresis and the Phosphate concentration has thus been demonstrated. Due to the significant influence of the Calcium infusion on the serum phosphate concentration, it can be concluded that this measure for the treatment of hypocalcemia appears just as useful for the treatment of hypophosphataemia. Oral administration of calcium and phosphorus, for example in the form of a bolus, can be used as a supplement. Regardless of the treatment, the examined animals show a similar course of the Phosphate values over a period of 24 hours after calving. The question that arises here is whether this daily dynamic of the serum phosphate concentration is independent of the course of the calcium concentration. One would have to continue taking blood samples over a longer period of time to answer this question conclusively.weiterlesen