Epidemiology Of Subclinical Hypocalcaemia and its Metabolite Profile In Dairy Cow During Transition Period in and Around Bishoftu Town, East Shewa Zone, Ethiopia
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Date
2022
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Addis Abeba University
Abstract
In order to sustain the healthy, production and productivity of dairy farm, it’s important to manage and control the metabolic disease of dairy cow in dairy sector. Hypocalcaemia is one of the most important metabolic diseases of dairy cows that cause significant economic loss in the dairy industry. However, more studies have not been conducted in Ethiopia on subclinical hypocalcaemia during transition period. Therefore, a cross-sectional study was conducted from November, 2021 to June, 2022 in and around the Bishoftu town of East Shewa Zone to know the Epidemiology of subclinical hypocalcaemia and its metabolite profile in dairy cows during the transition period. During the study period, 43 dairy farms were purposively selected based on the willingness of dairy owners. 176 blood samples of dairy cows were sampled from the target population during the study. A semi-structured questionnaire survey was also conducted in parallel to sample collection on dairy farm owners or producers during the study period. The Cobas 6000 electrolyte analyzer at Adama Public Health Research and Referral Laboratory Center was used to measure serum calcium concentrations of sampled dairy cows during transition period. Cows with serum calcium levels < 2.15mmol/L were considered to have subclinical hypocalcaemia, whereas those with serum calcium levels > 2.15mmol/L were considered to have normocalcaemia. The number of dairy cows that were below the threshold point was (n=49) in the study period. The current study revealed that, the prevalence of subclinical hypocalcaemia was 27.8% (CI, 95% = 22% - 35%). The average serum calcium level of sampled dairy cow was 2.174mmol/L (median = 2.21mmol/L), the minimum and maximum value 1.21mmol/L, 2.49mmol/L, respectively. The test of significance association implies that serum calcium concentration was related to breed (local, coef =0.098740, p =0.001), age (coef = -0.042506, p = 0.000137), milk yield (coef = -0.054521, p = 0.042397), feed type (mixed, coef = 0.116441, p=0.002, roughage, coef = 0.091068, p = 0.0049), parity (coef = -0.070485, p = 0.01632) and cow status (pregnant, coef = 0.055772, p = 0.0469). Despite the fact that the farm owner unaware of its presence, the current investigation revealed that subclinical hypocalcaemia is the most prevalent metabolic condition affecting dairy cows in the study area. Therefore, emphasis on host-related and management factors during the transition period is warranted.
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Keywords
Bishoftu, Transition period, Dairy cow, Epidemiology, Serum calcium, Subclinical hypocalcaemia