Chromium supplementation and substitution of barley grain with corn: Effects on performance and lactation in periparturient dairy cows

Abstract

Thirty-two multiparous Holstein cows were used to investigate the effects of chromium-l-methionine (Cr-Met) supplementation and dietary grain source on performance and lactation during the periparturient period. Cows were fed a total mixed ration consisting of either a barley-based diet (BBD) or a corn-based diet (CBD) from 21 d before anticipated calving through 28 d after calving. The Cr-Met was supplemented at dosages of 0 or 0.08 mg of Cr/kg of metabolic body weight. The study was designed as a randomized complete block design with 2 (Cr-Met levels) x 2 (grain sources) factorial arrangement. There was no Cr effect on prepartum dry matter intake (DMI) or postpartum DMI, body weight (BW), net energy balance, and whole tract apparent digestibility of nutrients. Prepartum DMI as a percentage of BW tended to increase with Cr-Met. Supplemental Cr-Met tended to increase milk yield whereas milk protein percentage decreased. Pre- and postpartum DMI, BW, net energy balance, milk yield, and milk composition were not affected by substituting ground barley with ground corn. The addition of Cr-Met increased prepartum DMI and tended to increase postpartum DMI of the BBD but not the CBD. The change in prepartum DMI was smaller when the BBD was supplemented with Cr-Met but remained unchanged when the CBD was supplemented with Cr-Met. Yields of crude protein and total solids in milk and prepartum digestibility of DM and organic matter tended to increase when Cr-Met was added to the BBD but remained unchanged when added to the CBD. Periparturient cows failed to respond to the grain source of the diet, whereas they showed greater response in milk yield to diets supplemented with Cr-Met. In conclusion, the present results demonstrate that the beneficial effect of Cr-Met supplementation during the periparturient period to improve feed intake may depend on the grain source of the diet.

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

“…Reduced NEFA alongside the increased peripheral glucose concentrations and enhanced milk secretion suggests that the Cr improved nutrient availability at times of high metabolic demands. Increased milk fat percentage and total solids in the present findings are inconsistent with those obtained by Hayirli et al [28] and Nikkhah et al [24] but are in disagreement with the result of McNamara and Valdez [23], Smith et al [21], and Sadri et al [18]. Hayirli et al [28] reported that increasing Cr supplementation caused a quadratic increase in milk fat and lactose yield.…”

“…No effect of dietary Cr supplementation on DMI was reported by Kumar et al [17] who fed 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 mg of inorganic Cr/kg DM to summer-exposed buffalo calves. Similarly, dietary addition of 1.6 mg of Cr/kg of DM in Holstein cows did not exert any effect on DMI [18]. Reports of a similar trend were given by other researchers [19][20][21][22].…”

Chromium Supplements in the Feed for Lactating Murrah Buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis): Influence on Nutrient Utilization, Lactation Performance, and Metabolic Responses

“…Sadri et al [9] also reported no change in nutrient intake in 0.8 mg Cr-methionine/kgW 0.75 supplemented periparturient cows. Similarly, Rikhari et al…”

“…Moreover, even rations containing Cr concentrations satisfying the need during a normal production period can become deficient in critical situations, such as advanced pregnancy, parturition, onset of lactation, weaning, and transport. Several researchers reported increased nutrient intake [7,8], whole tract apparent digestibility [9], and greater milk production [7,10] as a result of Cr supplementation. Cr supplementation decreased insulin concentration and increased glucose concentration and glucose insulin index in relation to cows not receiving Cr [11].…”

Reciprocal combinations of barley and corn grains in oil-supplemented diets: Feeding behavior and milk yield of lactating cows

“…In a constant level of forage particle size (theoretical length cut of 30 mm), however, it is not known whether changing diet fermentability (using grains different in expected ruminal fermentation) when supplemented with unsaturated oil would affect lactational performance and eating and ruminating activities. Most experiments that have considered the effect of grain type and fat supplementation of the diet have used a type of rumen-inert fat (Sadri et al, 2009;Nasrollahi et al, 2012). Therefore, it remains unclear how performance and behavior of dairy cows would be influenced by changing fermentability of diets supplemented with unsaturated oil.…”