Chromium propionate supplementation alters animal growth performance, carcass characteristics, and skeletal muscle properties in feedlot steers

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of increasing concentrations of Cr propionate (CrP) on feedlot performance, blood parameters, carcass characteristics, and skeletal muscle fiber properties in feedlot steers. Crossbred steers (n=32; 367±2.5 kg; 16 pens; 2 hd/pen) were blocked by BW, and treatment was randomly assigned to pen: 1) 0 mg added Cr/kg diet DM (control), 2) 0.15 mg added Cr/kg diet DM (Cr propionate (CrP); KemTRACE® Chromium 0.04%, Kemin Industries, Des Moines, IA), 3) 0.30 mg added Cr/kg diet DM, and 4) 0.45 mg added Cr/kg diet DM. Steers were fed ad libitum, and the treatment was top-dressed at the time of feeding. Body weights, blood samples, and longissimus biopsies were collected before feeding on d 0, 28, 56, 91, 119, and 147. Blood sera were harvested for analysis of glucose, insulin, sera urea nitrogen (SUN), and NEFA concentrations. Longissimus biopsies were collected for gene expression, protein expression, and immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis. Pen was the experimental unit for live and carcass data, and steer was the experimental unit with day as a repeated measure for sera and IHC analyses. For the entire duration of the trial, a linear increase in ADG (P=0.01) and improvement in G:F was observed (P=0.01) with no change in DMI (P=0.11) with increasing CrP. A linear increase in HCW (P≤0.01) with no other changes in carcass composition were noted (P≥0.38) as the level of dietary CrP increased. There was no effect of treatment on any sera parameters measured (P≥0.10). No difference was detected for gene or protein expression of GLUT4 due to CrP supplementation (P≥0.10). For skeletal muscle fiber distribution and cross-sectional area, there was no effect of treatment (P≥0.10). Density of total GLUT4 did not change due to CrP (P≥0.10). Internalization of GLUT4 was increased in the 0.30 mg/kg and 0.45 mg/kg treatments (P<0.01). For total nuclei density and myonuclei density, there were treatment × day interaction tendencies (P≤0.08). Supplementation of CrP did not alter density of satellite cells (P≥0.10). The number of transporters located in the sarcolemma of skeletal muscle fibers did decrease, implying fewer proteins were needed to transport extracellular glucose into the muscle fiber. Therefore, CrP may augment cellular function and growth via increased efficiency of GLUT4 function. These results indicated CrP increases BW, ADG, and HCW, without changes in circulating sera parameters or total GLUT4 expression.

Impact of Chromium Propionate Supplementation and Days of Adaptation on Energy Status in Newly Weaned Steer Calves<sup>*</sup>

“…Bernhard et al [13] detected no differences for serum GLS concentrations sale barn acquired steers supplemented with Cr as chromium propionate at 1 h postprandial after 56 d of supplementation. Likewise, [14] detected no differences in sera parameters when CrP was fed. 1 No added Cr "CON"; added 0.4 mg•kg −1 Cr to the total diet on a DM basis "CrP" (Kem-TRACE 0.4% Chromium Propionate, Kemin Industries, Des Moines, IA).…”

Chromium Methionine and Ractopamine Supplementation in Summer Diets for Grower–Finisher Pigs Reared under Heat Stress

“…Notably, when assessing the complete study period (81 d) in terms of productive behavior, no significant differences were found between the groups of pigs that received a diet supplemented with CrMet-S, CrMet-L, and RAC, suggesting an approximation of the effects of CrMet to those of RAC on productive behavior. However, improvement in the ADG and final BW of the pigs could be attributed to an increase in protein synthesis in the tissue of their skeletal muscle induced by organic Cr (CrMet) [ 11 , 15 , 41 ].…”

The effects of chromium propionate supplementation to yearling steers in a commercial feedyard on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and health

“…In general, research with Cr supplementation to feedlot cattle is inconsistent by Cr source and inclusion level. Long-duration feeding of Cr propionate, with a range of Cr inclusion rates (0.25 mg Cr/kg DM to 0.45 mg Cr/kg DM), demonstrated increased live weight gain ( Barajas et al, 2008 ; Baggerman et al 2020 ; Hallmark et al, 2020 ) and carcass weight ( Barajas et al, 2008 ; Budde et al, 2019 ; Baggerman et al, 2020 ; Hallmark et al, 2020 ). Yet, Cr propionate fed in combination with yeast products, providing 3.2 mg Cr/steer daily did not show a difference from control for feedlot growth or carcass characteristics ( Van-Bibber Kruger et al, 2016 ).…”

“…Over 80% of skeletal muscle tissue relies upon insulin-dependent glucose uptake mechanisms ( McGilcrest et al 2011 ). The role of Cr in protein synthesis was demonstrated by Baggerman et al (2020) ; feedlot steers fed 0.45 mg/kg DM Cr propionate had an increased upregulation of glucose transporter type-4 in skeletal muscle tissue compared with control, and a subsequent increase in hot carcass weight. Type-4 glucose transporters are insulin-dependent receptors and are responsible for shuttling extracellular glucose into adipose and muscle tissue ( Sano et al, 2003 ).…”

“…Yet, responses to Cr supplementation on feedlot growth and carcass performance are variable and influenced by disparities in Cr source, feeding level and duration, and cattle physiology. Chromium supplementation improved feedlot performance ( Barajas et al, 2008 ; Baggerman et al, 2020 ; Hallmark et al, 2020 ) and increased hot carcass weight ( Budde et al, 2019 ; Baggerman et al, 2020 ; Hallmark et al, 2020 ); whereas others have reported no difference in feedlot growth ( Kneesken et al, 2016 ) or carcass performance for Cr supplemented cattle ( Kneesken et al, 2016 ; Van-Bibber Kruger et at. 2016 ).…”