Growth performances, nutrient utilization and carcass traits in broiler chickens fed with a normal and a low energy diet supplemented with inorganic chromium (as chromium chloride hexahydrate) and a combination of inorganic chromium and ascorbic acid

Abstract

SU MMARYDiets for broiler chickens (n=90) were supplemented with chromium (CrCl 3 , 6H 2 O), either alone (0 . 2 mg/kg diet) or in a combination with ascorbic acid (0 . 2 mg Cr and 50 mg ascorbic acid/kg diet). The objectives of the study were to ascertain if ascorbic acid had any additive effect on the actions of chromium and whether chromium supplementation could alleviate the nutritional stress in the birds imposed by a reduced energy intake. The birds were fed at the recommended (Bureau of Indian Standards 1992) and at a lower plane of energy. Live-weight gain and diet utilization were higher (P<0 . 01) when the normal energy diet supplemented with chromium was fed. Food intake (35 days) was higher (P<0 . 001) in the birds fed with the low energy diet. There was an increase (P<0 . 01) in metabolizability due to the supplementation of chromium. The metabolizability of crude protein and total carbohydrate increased (P<0 . 05) when chromium and ascorbic acid were supplemented together. Chromium intake was higher (P<0 . 001) in the supplemented birds, especially in those fed with the low energy diet (P<0 . 05), though its retention was higher (P<0 . 05) when the normal energy diet was given. Chromium in combination with ascorbic acid also enhanced (P<0 . 01) chromium retention. Blood glucose (P<0 . 001) and plasma cholesterol (P<0 . 05) were lower in the supplemented birds and blood glucose was reduced further when ascorbic acid was supplemented together with chromium (P<0 . 01). Plasma protein increased (P<0 . 05) in the supplemented chickens. However, variation in the dietary energy concentration did not exert any significant effect on these blood parameters. Plasma chromium was higher (P<0 . 05) in the supplemented birds, though chromium had little effect in this regard with ascorbic acid. Plasma copper increased (P<0 . 05) when chromium was supplemented alone and increased further (P<0 . 05) when chromium and ascorbic acid were supplemented together. Deposition of chromium in the breast and thighs increased (P<0 . 05) due to supplementation. Protein content and total accretion of protein in the carcass were higher (P<0 . 05) when chromium was supplemented alone and with ascorbic acid. The supplemented birds had less (P<0 . 01) fat per 100 g of carcass irrespective of the dietary energy concentration. Weight of the hot carcass increased (P<0 . 05) due to chromium supplementation although dietary energy concentration did not affect this particular parameter. It was concluded that inorganic chromium supplementation (0 . 2 mg chromium/kg diet) might effectively enhance the growth performance, diet utilization and carcass characteristics in broiler chickens. Addition of ascorbic acid might also be beneficial in this regard. However, dietary energy concentration was more critical and to yield the maximum benefit of Cr supplementation in broiler chickens, an optimum level was essential.

Effects of incremental dietary chromium (Cr3+) on growth, hormone concentrations and glucose clearance in growing goats (Capra hircus)

“…The results of the present investigation revealed that Cr supplementation might improve body weight gain and feed efficiency in growing goat kids, as observed earlier in pigs (Page et al 1993), broiler chickens (Ahmed et al 2005) and goats (Paul et al 2005). The growth-promoting effect of Cr was perhaps due to the role that Cr plays, through insulin, on the distribution of energy between the adipose and lean tissues (Bunting et al 1994).…”

Effects of Graded Levels of Chromium Methionine on Performance, Carcass Traits, Meat Quality, Fatty Acid Profiles of Fat, Tissue Chromium Concentrations, and Antioxidant Status in Growing-Finishing Pigs

“…Thus, it was likely that an increased circulatory insulin levels by chromium would result in the withdrawal of chromium from the liver or kidney to be present in the muscle tissue that was insulinsensitive. This might be demonstrated by Ahmed et al [53], who reported that dietary supplementation chromium as chromium chloride (CrCl 3 ) in broilers tended to be deposited in muscle rather than in the liver. Besides, skeletal muscle makes up a greater part of body, which can provide more chromium storage for subsequent use.…”

Glucose tolerance and serum concentrations of hormones and metabolites in goats (Capra hircus) fed diets supplemented with inorganic and organic chromium salts

“…Cr is considered to be an integral part of the glucose tolerance factor, which facilitates the cellular binding and action of insulin (DePew et al, 1998). It has been reported that supplemental Cr feeding may improve body weight and feed efficiency in pigs (Page et al, 1993), broiler chickens (Ahmed et al, 2005), goats (Paul et al, 2005) and dairy heifers (Biswas et al, 2006). On the other hand Cr supplementation has been found to have no relationship with body weight and associated performance traits in ruminating feeder calves (Bunting et al, 1994;Kegley and Spears, 1995), steers (Besong et al, 2001), dairy cows (Hayirli et al, 2001) and sheep (Kitchalong et al, 1995;Sano et al, 2000).…”