Short Term Effects of Dietary Boron on Mineral Status in Dairy Cows

Aim of this study was to obtain knowledge on boron supplemented diet to mineral status of body fluids and feces in short term nutrition of dairy cattle. A total of 24 healthy Holstein dairy cows were used. The animals were fed with standard ration, and boron at three different doses was added to experimental' diets as boron compound: borax, for 10 days. Boron and other macro and trace minerals were determined in serum, milk, urine and feces samples taken on 0 and 11st days. In this study, there were no overt signs of toxicosis, and a pivotal knowledge was obtained in dairy cattle fed with boron supplemented diet on boron absorption, excretion, and its interaction with other minerals. Boron could not completely absorb from gastrointestinal tract. Urine was the most important excretion way of boron. More less boron was also eliminated by milk. Boron levels in body fluids (serum and milk, p less then 0.000) were increasingly changed based on the dose. Boron, among minerals, provided a striking increase for Ca (p less then 0.003) and Mg (p less then 0.028) levels in serum by increasing absorption of these minerals. This topic is worth evaluating as an alternative approach in the prevention of hypocalcemia in transition cows.