The relationship between narrow calcium-phosphorus ratio and reproductive problems in a daitry herd: A case report

A dairy herd was examined because of an increased incidence of dystocia, retained placenta, and post-partum metritis. The common infectious diseases were eliminated as potential causes of the reproductive problems. The cattle were found to have a mean serum calcium (Ca) of 8.98 mg% and a mean serum phosphorus (P) of 8.25 mg% for a ratio of 1.1:1. Feed analysis revealed low Ca and P in the ration. The cattle were supplemented with steamed bone meal for 3 months. At the end of this time incidence of dystocia had been reduced from 75% to 10%; the incidence of retained placenta from 35% to 8%; and the incidence of postpartum metritis from 70% to 10%. The mean serum Ca had increased to 10.26 mg% and the mean serum P was 6.72 mg% for a mean ratio of 1.53:1.