REGULAR ARTICLES Vitamin A, calcium, phosphorus and magnesium status of heifers grazing in Northern Cyprus Serkan Sayiner 1 & Ulvi Reha Fidanci 2 & Seher Kucukersan 3 & Gorkem Kismali 2 & Ogunc Meral 2 & Ahmet Ozer Sehirli 4 & Tevhide Sel 2 & Hilal Karagul 2 Received: 7 August 2019 /Accepted: 11 January 2020 # Springer Nature B.V. 2020 Abstract Vitamin A, calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P) and magnesium (Mg) are essential components for the health and reproductive yield of dairy cows. In this study, it is aimed to profile the calcium, phosphorus and magnesium elements together with vitamin A, which are important components in cattle bred and reared in Northern Cyprus. To analyse these parameters, 260 clinically healthy animals, at least 30 from each region, were blood sampled from eight different regions (Nicosia, Gecitkale, Vadili, Famagusta, Iskele, Ziyamet, Morphou and Kyrenia) during both summer and winter seasons. Vitamin A, calcium, magnesium and phos- phorus concentrations were measured from blood samples. Vitamin A levels increased significantly only in Nicosia and Ziyamet regions during the winter season, while there was no seasonal difference from the other regions. Calcium and phosphorus levels were higher in summer when compared with winter. Magnesium levels were significantly higher in winter than in summer. In the comparison between regions in summer and winter, the change in P and Mg values was significant, whereas Ca only showed inter-regional differences during winter. In conclusion, all the parameters found were within the expected ranges but affected by seasonal changes. Therefore, we think that calcium and phosphorus supplementation in winter and vitamin A and magnesium supplementation in summer will provide positive results on cattle. Keywords Calcium . Phosphorus . Magnesium . Vitamin A . Heifer . Northern Cyprus Introduction Due to deficiency of vitamin A, problems in growth, develop- ment, vision and differentiation of epithelial cells along with the estrus cycle disorders and reproductive disorders are evi- dent (Montgomery et al. 1996; Kalaycıoğlu et al. 2013). It has also been demonstrated that cows with clinical mastitis devel- oped oxidative stress, and vitamin A levels were lower than subclinical mastitis and healthy cows (Sezer and Keskin 2014). The seasonal variation of vitamin A levels suggests a probability of risk for healthy cattle. Calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P) and magnesium (Mg) are essential macrominerals for the health and reproductive yield of dairy cows. Problems arise primarily due to deficiencies during the calving and lactation period (Lean et al. 2006; Tsiamadis et al. 2016). Hypocalcemia (milk fever) is one of the most important macromineral problems of cows especially during the transition period. Retention of fetal membranes, mastitis, uterine infections, abomasum displacement, coagu- lation problems and ketosis may occur due to calcium defi- ciency (Karagül et al. 2000; Lean et al. 2006; Kronqvist et al. 2012; Martinez et al. 2014). P and Mg are involved in the aetiology of hypocalcemia. Susceptibility to downer cow syn- drome is increased due to hypophosphatemia (Grunberg 2014). Long-term dietary deficiency may cause postparturient hemoglobinuria along with other mineral deficiencies (Lean et al. 2006 2013). Prepartum diets high in phosphorus can adversely affect calcium homeostasis in cattle (Lean et al. 2013). Mg is involved in enzymatic reactions, nerve impulses, * Serkan Sayiner serkan.sayiner@neu.edu.tr 1 Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Near East University, 99138 Nicosia, Cyprus 2 Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ankara University, Diskapi, 06110 Ankara, Turkey 3 Department of Animal Nutrition and Nutritional Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ankara University, Diskapi, 06110 Ankara, Turkey 4 Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Dentistry, Near East University, 99138 Nicosia, Cyprus Tropical Animal Health and Production https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-020-02210-z