Blood profiles and health in Holstein cows fed diets with varying cation-anion difference and calcium supplementation

Abstract

Three blocks each of twelve Holstein cows beginning 21 days prepartum were randomly allocated to one of three treatments with varying dietary cation-anion difference (DCAD, mEq/kgDM) at +150 (HD),-100 (LD), and-100 plus calcium (LDCA) to investigate fluid acid-base balance, serum Ca, health status, and lactation performance. Feeding LD diets induced mild metabolic acidosis. Serum Ca in diet LD was higher (P<0.05) than that in other two diets. Health disorder was lower in the two LD diets. Milk yield was unaffected (P<0.05) by dietary treatments. It is indicated that negative DCAD was beneficial for blood calcium homeostasis and health status in Holstein periparturient cows.