M. Bengoumi et al., EFFECT OF 1-ALPHA-HYDROXYCHOLECALCIFEROL ON CALCIUM AND PHOSPHORUS CONCENTRATION IN GOAT MILK, Small ruminant research, 21(1), 1996, pp. 45-49
Twelve small black Moroccan goats were used during the second month of
their fourth lactation to compare the influence of an increase in pla
sma calcium (Ca) concentration induced by Ca infusion or by 1 alpha-(O
H) D-3 injection on milk Ca concentration. in four goats, Ca gluconate
i.v. infusion (7 mg Ca kg(-1) body weight) increased plasma Ca concen
tration from 10.3 +/- 0.04 to 13.3 +/- 0.04 mg dl(-1) (P < 0.05) witho
ut changing milk production and milk Ca and inorganic phosphorus (Pi)
concentration. In five goats, 1 alpha-(OH) D-3 i.m. injection (3 x 0.5
mu g kg(-1) body weight) increased plasma Ca and 1,25-(OH)(2) D conce
ntrations from 10.7 +/- 0.03 to 13.2 +/- 0.05 mg dl(-1) (P < 0.05) and
from 147 +/- 5 to 764 +/- 12 pg ml(-1) (P < 0.001), respectively, wit
hout changing daily milk production, Daily Ca and Pi secretion through
the mammary gland increased from 1.22 +/- 0.09 g and 1.08 +/- 0.05 g
before treatment to 1.45 +/- 0.05 g (P < 0.05) and to 1.30 +/- 0.05 g
(P < 0.05), respectively, No significant variation in plasma or milk C
a or Pi concentrations was observed in three control goats, These resu
lts indicate that in goats, as in cattle, plasma 1,25-(OH)(2) D concen
tration may regulate Ca and Pi secretion through milk.