Effect of heat stress on minerals concentration in blood and colostrum of heifers around parturition

Sixteen Holstein heifers were employed to study the effect of thermal stress on rectal temperature and mineral status of heifers around parturition during hot and cool weather. During the hot weather, rectal temperatures of the heifers measured at 08:30 and 15:30 h from 7 d prepartum to parturition were higher than those during the cool weather. Blood hematocrit and hemoglobin were not significantly different between the hot and cool weather, but at 2 and 1 wk prepartum, those during the hot weather were higher. Plasma Ca, inorganic P and Fe of the heifers during the hot weather were higher than those during the cool weather, but plasma Mg and Zn and serum alkaline phosphatase during the hot weather were lower. Colostral protein and Mg of heifers at parturition during the hot weather were lower than those during the cool weather, but colostral Ca, P, Fe and Zn were not affected by the weather.