Associations of serum calcium and subclinical hypocalcemia at calving with productive, reproductive and health outcomes in multiparous Jersey cows

Abstract

The most appropriate blood calcium (Ca) threshold to define subclinical hypocalcemia is still under study. Currently, there is a wide range of suggested definitions, and variability on its reported associations with productive, reproductive and health outcomes, which have not been described in Jersey cows. Our aim was to evaluate the associations of serum Ca concentration and subclinical hypocalcemia at calving with subsequent lactation milk and energy-corrected milk yield, fat%, protein%, somatic cell count linear score, mastitis, herd removal, and pregnancy at 1st service and by 150 days-in-milk (DIM).