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RESEARCH ARTICLE

Metabolic and production responses to calcidiol treatment in mid-lactation dairy cows

R. M. Rodney A B J , P. Celi C D , J. J. McGrath E F , H. M. Golder B , S. T. Anderson G , D. M. McNeill H , D. R. Fraser I and I. J. Lean A B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Faculty of Veterinary Science, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Private Mail Bag 3, 425 Werombi Road, Camden, NSW 2570, Australia.

B Scibus, PO Box 660, Camden, NSW 2570, Australia.

C DSM Nutritional Products, Animal Nutrition and Health, 6480 Dobbin Road, Columbia, MD, USA.

D Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic. 3010, Australia.

E DSM Nutritional Products Australia Pty Limited, PO Box 2279, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2650, Australia.

F Faculty of Environment and Rural Science, The University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2350, Australia.

G School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Qld 4072, Australia.

H School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton, Qld 4343, Australia.

I Faculty of Veterinary Science, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, RMC Gunn Building B19, The University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.

J Corresponding author. Email: rachaelr@scibus.com.au

Animal Production Science 59(3) 449-460 https://doi.org/10.1071/AN16770
Submitted: 25 November 2016  Accepted: 11 December 2017   Published: 10 August 2018

Abstract

The study of vitamin D in cattle has often focussed on its role in calcium and mineral metabolism. However, there is evidence of a wider role for vitamin D in bone and energy metabolism. Two studies were conducted to explore relationships between calcidiol supplementation, blood minerals and metabolites in mid-lactation dairy cows. In Experiment 1, a dose-response study was conducted in which 25 mid-lactation cows were fed one of five supplementary calcidiol doses (0, 0.5, 1, 2 or 4 mg calcidiol/day) for 30 days, with blood samples taken every 10 days. Increasing calcidiol dose increased plasma calcidiol (P = 0.001), 24,25-(OH)2-D3 (P = 0.001) and serum phosphate (P = 0.003) in a curvilinear manner, increased and then decreased plasma 25-OH-D2 (P = 0.004) and linearly increased 3-epi 25-OH-D3 (P = 0.001) and milk calcidiol concentrations (P = 0.001). Calcidiol supplementation did not affect milk yield or composition, bodyweight or condition score. In Experiment 2, relationships between blood calcidiol and mineral and metabolite concentrations over time were explored using time-series analysis. Ten mid-lactation cows were fed either 0 or 0.5 mg calcidiol/day for 27 days, with blood samples taken every 3 days. Feeding calcidiol increased plasma calcidiol (P = 0.001), 24,25-OH-D3 (P = 0.038), and insulin (P = 0.046), but decreased 25-OH-D2 (P = 0.008) concentrations. Positive associations were identified between blood calcidiol and concentrations of other metabolites, including cholecalciferol, calcium, osteocalcin, glucose, insulin, non-esterified fatty acids, β-hydroxybutyrate, cholesterol, magnesium, phosphorus and total protein at varying lags (±0, 3 or 6 days), while negative relationships were identified between calcidiol and 24,25-(OH)2-D3, and phosphorus 3 days later. Importantly, strong positive associations between calcidiol and indicators of energy metabolism were identified. Overall, these experiments provide support for a positive effect of calcidiol treatment on dairy cow metabolism.

Additional keywords: bone, energy, osteocalcin, vitamin D.


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