D. Afzaal, M. Nisa, M. A. Khan and M. Sarwar

Institute of Animal Nutrition and Feed Technology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan

    The acid base status of a dairy cow is maintained within a narrow range. The key mechanisms involving blood, cells and lungs, perform this function. Although other minerals have an impact on acid base metabolism, the minerals used in dietary cation-anion balance (DCAB) namely sodium (Na), potassium (K) and chloride (Cl) have the greatest effect. Hence, acid base status implicates other biological functions of dairy cows. Low DCAB prepartum reduces the incidence of milk fever and increases the productivity by simmering down the severity of hypocalcaemia. High DCAB diets have proved to increase dry mater and water intake and production and to mitigate the effects of heat stress.

Key words: Dietary cation-anion balance, acid base balance, milk fever, heat stress, dairy cow.