circulanting osteocalcin in primiparous italian dairy buffalo: peri and post-partum concentration

Abstract

Transitory decline of calcium plasma concentration occurs close to parturition and it is associated with the onset of lactation. Plasma osteocalcin concentration was slightly but not significant lower in the pre-partum period than in calving time. Osteocalcin post-partum time were significantly higher than pre-partum and calving time. This study confirms that osteocalcin is a useful bone protein marker for assisting in the management of high turnover metabolic Ca states in primiparous dairy buffaloes