Affects of boron administration on serum Ca, Mg and P ofperipartum Cows

Abstract. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of sodium borate on the concentrations of serum calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg) and phosphorus (P) in dairy cattle in the peripartum period. In the study, 14 healthy Holstein cows in the periparturient period (four weeks before and three weeks after calving) were divided into two equal groups according to oral treatments with sodium borate (30 g/day, group B), while some cows from the group were not treated (group C). Blood samples were obtained weekly from the prepartum 4 weeks until postpartum 3 weeks. At calving, changes were observed for the concentrations of the serum Ca, Mg and P in B and C groups. Ca (p>0.05) and Mg (p<0.001) concentrations were higher in group B than group C at calving. During the postpartum periods serum Ca and Mg concentrations increased (p<0.05) in group B compared to group C. Serum P concentrations were not affected by boron. The results suggest that sodium borate may be useful for sustaining metabolic balance and perhaps in preventing metabolic disorders such as milk fever and hypomagnesemia in dairy cattle during the periparturient period.