SERUM Ca, K, AND Na LEVELS IN DAIRY COWS WITH RETAINED PLACENTA AND DYSTOCIA

The aim of this study was to determine the evolution serum levels of Ca, K, and Na in dairy cows with retained placenta (RP) and dystocia. Fourty-five cows between 3-10 years old were used in the study. Jugular blood samples were collected via hiparined vacutainer tubes. The samples were centrifuged and the serum samples were stored at -20°C until analyse. Calcium (Ca), Sodium (Na), and Potassium (K) were determined in all samples using a Roch® COBAS Integra 400. In this study, Na serum levels were significantly higher (p<0,05) in 48 post-partum hours' cows with 139,91±7,1 mmol/l compared with dry period with 131,09 ±11,09mmol/l. However, mean serum calcium levels were 79,50±10,47 and 79,25±8,39 mg/l in cows with retained placenta in dry period and 48 hours' post-partum, respectively. The mean serum sodium levels in cows with retained placenta in dry period and 48 hours postpartum were134,00±10,99 and 137,88±5.64 mmol/1 respectively. Whereas, in case of cows without retained placenta, the sodium values for the same period were130,46±11,15 and 140,35±7,37 mmol/1, respectively. In this study, the serum Ca, Na and K concentrations of the cows with RP did not change significantly from other cows without. Furthermore, it was detected that these variables had no significant effect on serum Ca, K and Na concentrations when type of parturition and sex of calves were evaluated in the RP and control group.