Effect of Chromium Supplementation on Productive and Reproductive Performances and Some Metabolic Parameters in Late Gestation and Early Lactation of Dairy Cows

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of supplemental chromium as chromium-L-methionine (Cr-Met) on productive and reproductive performances and some metabolic parameters in late gestation and early lactation of dairy cows. Sixty multiparous Holstein dairy cows according to prior lactation, parity, body mass (682±33 kg), and expected calving date were divided equally (30 cows/treatment) and were randomly allocated to one of the two groups. One group received basal diet without Cr (control group) and another group received Cr-Met supplement added at manufacturer's recommended level (8 mg of "Cr"/head per day) from 21 days before expected calving date until 21 days of lactation. Supplemental Cr tended to increase milk yield (P=0.08) while percentage of lactose and lactose yield increased (P<0.01). Chromium supplementation decreased serum nonesterified fatty acids concentration at 7 days prepartum and 21 days postpartum. Serum insulin concentration for cows receiving Cr was higher than the control group (P=0.05). Serum cortisol concentration decreased (P<0.05) in prepartum period in supplemented group. Chromium did not affect concentrations of metabolic parameters at calving. However, serum glucose concentration increased at 21 days postpartum in the supplemented group (P<0.05). Chromium supplementation increased neutrophil and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio in prepartum period (P<0.05). Based on serum concentrations of progesterone, days to first ovulation tended (P=0.07) to occur earlier in the supplemented group. Furthermore, days to first service and days to first estrus of the supplemented group occurred earlier than the control group (P<0.05) but days open, services per conception and conception rates at first insemination did not differ between two groups (P>0.05). Percentage of cyclic cows at 36 days postpartum and estrous behavior before AI was higher in the supplemented group.

Effect of Additional Chromium Supplementation on Health Status, Metabolic Responses, and Performance Traits in Periparturient Murrah Buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis)

“…Increased milk production was also reported by other researchers [5,9,10] in periparturient cows supplemented with 8, 6, and 5 mg/day Cr as Crmethionine (Cr-Met). Observations of a similar pattern were also reported by Nikkhah et al [24] and An-Qiang et al [45] in heat-stressed lactating cows supplemented with Cr-Met in the range of 0.05-0.10 mg Cr/kg of BW 0.75 and 0.2-0.6 mg Cr/day as Cr-picolinate, respectively.…”

“…Despite this, a positive effect of Cr supplementation on the insemination index, interval, and service period has been established [49,47] as well as a reduced incidence of endometritis and placental retention [50,51]. Kafilzadeh et al [10] reported that Cr supplementation increased the percentage of estrus behavior, percentage of cyclic cows, reduced day to first service, and day to first ovulation. They explained that reduced cortisol level and improved neutrophil count might be the reason.…”

“…Cr had an improving effect on insulin binding and increased the number of insulin receptors on the cell surface and sensitivity of pancreatic β cells together with an overall increase of insulin sensitivity [8]. Cr supplementation during late gestation and early lactation showed a trend toward improved milk production [9] and reproduction as indicated by increased percentage of estrus behavior, percentage of cyclic cows, reduced days to first service, and days to first ovulation [10]. Lindemann [11] reported that Cr can affect reproduction by changing the sensitivity of the reproductive organs to insulin.…”

Effects of chromium (Cr) and zinc (Zn) supplementation on metabolism, inflammation, and production parameters in heat-stressed and nutrient-restricted pigs

“…Additionally, Burton et al (1993) reported increased cell-mediated immune response in periparturient and early lactating dairy cows supplemented with Cr. Furthermore, we and others have observed improved neutrophil count and activity with Cr supplementation (Lien et al, 2004;Kafilzadeh et al, 2012;Yasui et al, 2014;Horst et al, unpublished data). In agreement with the aforementioned literature, circulating neutrophils were increased in HSCr pigs by 37% relative to their HSCtl counterparts.…”

Supplemental chromium in cold-stressed buffalo calves (Bubalus bubalis): effects on growth performance, nutrient utilization and cell mediated and humoral immune response

“…A similar result was also reported by KUMAR et al (2015), who found that the addition of inorganic Cr to heat-stressed buffalo calves influenced neutrophil phagocytic activity. Increased neutrophil phagocytic activity was also reported in Cr supplemented transition cattle (KAFILZADEH et al, 2012). However, no effect of dietary Cr supplementation on peripheral neutrophil phagocytic activity was reported by HALDAR et al (2009). The increase in humoral immune response in the 1.0 and 1.5 mg Cr/kg DM supplemented groups is consistent with the findings of KUMAR et al (2015) and DEKA et al (2014) who reported higher levels of TIg and IgG in Cr supplemented periparturient Murrah buffaloes and Murrah buffaloes calves, respectively.…”