Utilização de dieta aniônica para vacas em fase de pré- parto como forma de prevenção da hipocalcemia

Abstract

Brazil stands among the largest milk-producing countries in the world, increasing the demand for highly productive dairy cattle. However, higher productivity also contributes to the occurrence of metabolic diseases, especially during the transition period, which includes the weeks before and after calving. Among these disorders, hypocalcemia is highlighted as a metabolic disease characterized by low blood calcium levels caused by the high mineral demand for colostrum and milk production. Hypocalcemia may occur in clinical or subclinical forms, negatively affecting animal health, productive and reproductive performance, and causing economic losses on dairy farms. Therefore, the use of an anionic diet during the pre-partum period has become an important preventive strategy. This diet consists of providing feed with a higher concentration of anions than cations, promoting mild metabolic acidosis that improves bone calcium mobilization and calcium absorption by the body. Urinary pH monitoring is an essential tool to evaluate the effectiveness of the anionic diet, with the ideal urinary pH ranging from 5.8 to 6.8 for Holstein cows. In addition, proper nutritional management practices, stress reduction, and potassium intake control also contribute to disease prevention. In conclusion, the anionic diet is one of the main prophylactic measures against hypocalcemia in high-producing dairy cows, contributing to animal health maintenance, improved productive performance, and reduced economic losses on dairy farms.