Summary
Serum inorganic phosphate levels in Botswanan cattle at the end of the dry season were in the low normal range. Levels varied from one area of the country to another and only in some areas were the levels compatible with those seen in aphosphorosis. Levels were lowest in areas with poor grazing but low serum levels were not necessarily associated with clinical signs of aphosphorosis. Bonemeal supplements increased serum inorganic phosphate levels and its effect was most marked when animals had good grazing available.
Résumé
Les taux de phosphate inorganique dans le sérum du bétail du Botswana sont régulièrement faibles à la fin de la saison sèche. Les taux varient d'une zone à l'autre mais ce n'est que dans quelques régions qu'ils sont compatibles avec ceux qui sont observés dans l'aphosphorose. Its sont les plus bas dans les régions à maigre pâturage mais les faibles taux sériques ne sont pas forcément associés à des signes cliniques d'aphosphorose. Des suppléments de farine d'os augmentent les taux sériques et leur effet est le plus net quand les animaux disposent d'un bon pâturage.
Sumario
Los niveles de fosfato inorganico en el suero de ganado en Botswana al final de la estación seca estuvieron en el limite normal inferior. Los niveles variaron de una area a otra y solo en algunas aresa los niveles eran compatibles con aquellos vistos en afosforosis. Los niveles mas bajos fueron vistos en areas de pastoreo pobre pero niveles reducidos en el suero no estaban necesariamente asociados con síntomas clínicos de afosforosis. Suplementos de harina de hueso incrementaron los niveles de fosfato inorganico en el suero y el efecto era mucho mas marcado cuando los animales tenían buena capacidad para el pastoreo.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Anon. (1971). Bonemeal and salt supplementation of Tswana steers in the Kweneng District of Botswana. Animal Production Research Unit, Private Bag 33, Gaborone.
Bisschop, J. H. R. (1964). Feeding phosphates to cattle. Department of Agriculture and Technical Services, South Africa.
Doxey, D. L. (1971).Veterinary Clinical Pathology, pp. 218–219. Baillière Tindall, London.
Du Toit, P. S., Malan, A. I. &Groenewald, J. W. (1934). Studies on mineral metabolism. Minimum mineral requirements of cattle.Onderstepoort Journal of Veterinary Science and Animal Industry,2, 565.
Hurrell, A. D. &Dugdale, R. S. (1958). Aphosphororis in ranch cattle.Rhodesian Agricultural Journal,55, 474–479.
Little, D. A. (1970). Factors of importance in the phosphorous nutrition of beef cattle in Northern Australia.Australian Veterinary Journal,46, 241–248.
Morris, S. &Reay, C. S. (1939). Effect of phosphorus deficiency on protein and mineral metabolism.Biochemical Journal,33, 1209.
Palmer, L. D., Cunningham, W. S. &Eckles, C. H. (1930). Normal variations in the inorganic phosphorus of the blood dairy cattle.Journal of Dairy Science,13, 174–195.
Reed, J. B. H., Doxey, D. L., Forbes, A. B., Finlay, R. S., Geering, I. W., Smith, S. D. &Wright, J. W. (1974). Productive performance of cattle in Botswana.Tropical Animal Health and Production,6, 1–21.
Reed, J. B. H., Smith, S. D., Forbes, A. B., Finlay, R. S., Geering, I. W., Wright, J. W. &Doxey, D. L. (1974). A note on seasonal changes in some inorganic phosphate levels of cattle in Botswana.Tropical Animal Health and Production,6, 37–38.
Vipperman, P. E., Preston, R. L., Kintner, L. D. &Pfander, W. H. (1969). Role of calcium in the nutritional aetiology of a metabolic disorder in ruminants fed high grain rations.Journal of Nutrition,97, 449.
Ward, H. K. (1968). Phosphorus supplementation of beef cattle on veld.Proceedings of the First Symposium on Animal Production (ed. J. Oliver), 31–40. Rhodesian Branch, South African Society of Animal Production.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Reed, J.B.H., Smith, S.D., Doxey, D.L. et al. Serum inorganic phosphate, calcium and magnesium levels of cattle in Botswana. Trop Anim Health Prod 6, 23–29 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02380744
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02380744