25-Hydroxycholecalciferol (25-OHD3) II. Efficacy of Parenteral Administration in Prevention of Parturient Paresis

Abstract

Three trials involving subcutaneous or intramuscular injection of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol in 5 ml of sesame oil tested its efficacy in preventing parturient paresis. Subcutaneous injection of 2.0 mg of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (Trial I) was unsatisfactory because of unpredictable absorption rate of the oil and poor protection. Intramuscular injection of 4.0 or 8.0 mg 25-hydroxycholecalciferol prevented parturient paresis when calving occurred between 72 h and 10 days after injection. When all treated cows were compared, administration of 4.0 mg 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (Trial II) reduced the overall incidence from 29% in control cows (7 of 24) to 16% in treated cows (4 of 21) while administration of 8.0 mg 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (Trial III) reduced the incidence from 52% in control cows (12 of 23) to 19% in treated cows (4 of 21). No clinical signs of hypervitaminosis D were observed in any treated animals. © 1973, American Dairy Science Association. All rights reserved.