Hypomagnesaemia in beef calves and its relation with parathyroid hormone level

Abstract EN

Hypomagnesaemia was reported as a common clinical problem in beef calves in Egypt.

This study was conducted in a private farm for cow calves (n = 80), 6-9 month of age, in Kafr Sakr City, Sharkia Governorate.

The clinical signs appear on some calves including nervous signs, muscular tremors, opisthotonus, polyuria, frequent defecation, frothing at the mouth and convulsions.

Only eight calves were died within ten days.

The signs suspect hypomagnesaemia which confirmed through a biochemical analysis of serum magnesium, calcium and phosphorus.

The activities of serum aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase and creatine phosphokinase and serum thyroid and parathyroid hormones were estimated.

Hematological picture of hypomagnesaemia animals were also determined.

Another blood samples were taken from clinically healthy calves (n = 10) at same age and area and used as control group.

Soil, plant, and concentrate samples were taken for chemical analysis for detection the relation between soil, plant and animal.

The hematological observations of the study revealed a significant elevation of total erythrocytic count, total leukocytic count and packed cell volume in hypomagnesaemia calves, while hemoglobin was unchanged.

Serum parameters including Mg., Ca.

and Phos.

Showed a significant decrease between diseased and control group.

The serum enzymatic activities indicated an increase in AST, ALP and CPK comparing with the control group.

Also, the biochemical analysis revealed a significant decrease in serum parathyroid hormone level in hypomagnesaemia calves, while, the thyroid hormones still within the normal range.

The chemical analysis of soil, plant and concentrate samples revealed a decrease of Mg.

level in them than the normal range.

We can conclude from this study a strong relationship between the soils, plant and animal, this relationship needs more detailed studies.