METHOD AND COMPOSITION FOR MAINTAINING NORMAL CALCIUM CONCENTRATIONS IN THE BLOOD OF MAMMALS

Claims

1. A composition for oral administration to mammals in the perinatal period at risk of developing hypocalcemia within 0-6 hours after birth; a composition containing a form of calcium that is rapidly absorbed by mammals in the perinatal period using passive paracellular transport through the intestinal epithelium, and a 1-alpha-hydroxylated vitamin D compound in an amount sufficient to stimulate active calcium transport through the intestinal epithelium, calcium and a 1-alpha-hydroxylated vitamin D compound to be administered simultaneously to maintain normal blood calcium concentrations in mammals in the perinatal period.

2. The composition according to claim 1, characterized in that the administered form of calcium contains readily water-soluble calcium salts containing calcium chloride, calcium sulfate, calcium propionate, calcium acetate, calcium lactate or calcium formate, alone or in combination.

3. The composition according to claim 1, characterized in that calcium chloride is included in an amount sufficient to induce compensated metabolic acidosis within 8 hours after administration to maintain normal tissue sensitivity to parathyroid hormone.

4. The composition according to claim 1, characterized in that the 1-alpha-hydroxylated vitamin D compound contains 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D or 1-alpha-hydroxyvitamin D or their analogs in an amount sufficient to stimulate transcellular absorption of calcium in the rumen or intestine.

5. The composition according to claim 1, characterized in that the 1-alpha-hydroxylated vitamin D compound is a glycoside of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, found in calciferous plants or extracts obtained from calciferous plants.

6. The composition of claim 1, wherein the 1-alpha-hydroxylated vitamin D compound is not included in such a large amount that the 1-alpha-hydroxylated vitamin D compound causes significant inhibition of the renal enzyme 25-hydroxyvitamin D-1-alpha-hydroxylase, thereby inhibiting endogenous production of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, so that delayed hypocalcemia occurs 4-10 days after administration of the composition.

7. The composition of claim 1, wherein the 1-alpha-hydroxylated vitamin D compound and calcium are administered simultaneously in the form of a bolus, tablet or granule with a density of at least 1.2 kg / L (g / ml) and are released from the bolus, tablet or granule over a period of less than 2 hours.

8. A method for increasing blood calcium levels or normalizing blood calcium levels or maintaining normal or healthy blood calcium levels or preventing hypocalcemia in a mammal; the method comprises administering a composition of a 1-alpha-hydroxylated vitamin D compound and a readily soluble calcium source simultaneously to the mammal during the perinatal period shortly after birth.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that the 1-alpha-hydroxylated vitamin D compound and calcium are administered simultaneously in the form of a bolus, tablet or granule with a density of at least 1.2 kg / L (g / ml) and are completely released from the bolus, tablet or granule within a period of time less than 2 hours.

10. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that 1-alpha-hydroxylated vitamin D and calcium salts of the compound maintain more normal concentrations of calcium in the blood when administered simultaneously in a single dose without any additional doses.

11. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that the composition is capable of maintaining normal calcium concentrations in the blood or reducing hypocalcemia when administered to a mammal in the perinatal period within 6 hours after birth, and most preferably when administered within 3 hours after birth.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that the composition is capable of maintaining normal calcium concentrations in the blood or reducing hypocalcemia when administered to a mammal in the perinatal period within 3 hours after birth.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein it reduces hypocalcemia in a mammal in the perinatal period that is at risk of developing hypocalcemia early in lactation, such as a dairy cow.

14. The method of claim 8, wherein the calcium administered is in a form that includes calcium chloride or calcium sulfate in an amount sufficient to induce compensated metabolic acidosis in the animal to maintain tissue sensitivity to parathyroid hormone so as to improve calcium homeostasis for eight hours after administration.

15. The method of claim 8, wherein the calcium comprises calcium chloride, calcium sulfate, calcium propionate, calcium acetate, calcium lactate, or calcium formate, alone or in combination, in an amount sufficient to stimulate passive, vitamin D-independent, paracellular absorption of calcium, to maintain normal blood calcium concentrations and reduce hypocalcemia during the first 6-12 hours after administration, without causing uncompensated metabolic acidosis in the animal.

16. The method of claim 8, wherein the 1-alpha-hydroxylated vitamin D compound comprises 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D or 1-alpha-hydroxyvitamin D or their analogs, administered in an amount sufficient to stimulate transcellular absorption of calcium in the rumen or intestine to maintain normal calcium concentrations in the blood or reduce hypocalcemia from 12 to 72 hours after administration.

17. The method of claim 8, wherein the 1-alpha-hydroxylated vitamin D compound comprises 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D glycoside obtained from calcific plants or extracts obtained from calcific plants, administered in an amount sufficient to stimulate transcellular absorption of calcium in the rumen or intestine to maintain normal blood calcium concentrations or reduce hypocalcemia from 12 to 72 hours after administration.

18. The method of claim 8, wherein the 1-alpha-hydroxylated vitamin D compound is not administered in such a large amount that it causes significant inhibition of the renal enzyme 25-hydroxyvitamin D-1-alpha-hydroxylase, thereby inhibiting endogenous production of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, so that delayed hypocalcemia occurs 4-10 days after administration of the composition.