The findings have been published in the Journal of Endocrinology.
Demand is high for dairy products rich in calcium: there is more calcium in the human body than any other mineral.
But this demand can take its toll on milk-producing cows.
Issues with hypocalcaemia
Roughly 5-10% of the North American dairy cow population suffers from hypocalcaemia, in which calcium levels are low. The risk of this disease is particularly high immediately before and after cows give birth.
Hypocalcaemia is associated with immunological and digestive problems, decreased pregnancy rates and longer intervals between pregnancies.
Whilst there has been research into the treatment of hypocalcaemia, little research has focused on prevention.
Seratonin studies in Holsteins and Jerseys
A team from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, led by Dr Laura Hernandez, investigated the potential for serotonin to increase calcium levels in both the milk and blood of dairy cows.
The team infused a chemical that converts to serotonin into 24 dairy cows in the run up to giving birth. Half the cows were Jersey and half were Holstein. Calcium levels in both the milk and circulating blood were measured throughout the experiment.
Breed differences
Whilst serotonin improved the overall calcium status in both breeds, this was brought about in opposite ways. Treated Holstein cows had higher levels of calcium in their blood, but lower calcium in their milk (compared to controls).
The reverse was true in treated Jersey cows and the higher milk calcium levels were particularly obvious in Jerseys at day 30 of lactation – suggesting a role for serotonin in maintaining levels throughout lactation.
“By studying two breeds we were able to see that regulation of calcium levels is different between the two,” Hernandez said.
“Serotonin raised blood calcium in the Holsteins, and milk calcium in the Jerseys. We should also note that serotonin treatment had no effect on milk yield, feed intake or on levels of hormones required for lactation.”
Additional studies
The next steps are to investigate the molecular mechanism by which serotonin regulates calcium levels, and how this varies between breeds.
“We would also like to work on the possibility of using serotonin as a preventative measure for hypocalcaemia in dairy cows,” Hernandez added.
“That would allow dairy farmers to maintain the profitability of their businesses, whilst making sure their cows stay healthy and produce nutritious milk.”
Hernandez LL, “Elevation of circulating serotonin improves calcium dynamics in the peripartum dairy cow”, Journal of Endocrinology, 230:1, 105-123. DOI: 10.1530/JOE-16-0038