Effect of Chromium Treatment on Growth and Some Blood Parameters of Local Lambs in Hot Climates

Abstract

This study was conducted in the animal field of the Department of Animal Production in the College of Agriculture - University of Tikrit for the period from 7/6/2022 until 7/9/2022. by (93) days, preceded by an introductory period for a period of (13) days to study the effect of chromium treatment on productive traits represented in growth (weight gain) and some blood parameters and biochemistry and the concentration of some hormones. (15) Awassi lambs were used in this experiment, their ages ranged between 4-5 a month and with an average initial weight of 22.6 + 0.9 kg, the experimental treatments were divided into three treatments distributed randomly. on three transactions. The first transaction is the control and treatment the second is addition chrome on Chromium Yeast form at 0,5 mg / day / lamb and the third transaction is addition of Chromium 1 mg / day / lamb, five lambs for every transaction. The results indicated that there is Significant increase (P ≤ 0.05) between treatments in the rate of daily weight gain of lambs, as the third treatment (1 mg chromium / lamb / day) excelled compared to the first treatment (control) that was free of additives, and the second treatment contained (0.5 mg / lamb / day). These results were reflected in the total weight gain of the lambs, as the third treatment (1 mg chromium /day/lamb) was significantly superior (P ≤ 0.05) at a rate of (16.35) kg compared to the first treatment. (control) (9.85) kg and the second (0.5 mg / day / lamb) (10.92) kg. The results also showed that there was a significant (P ≤ 0.05) superiority of the third treatment (1 mg chromium / day / lamb) in the efficiency of feed conversion at a rate of (5.53 fodder/kg meat) Compared to the second and third treatments (7.68 and 9.64 feed/kg meat), respectively, It was also seen there are no differences between the treatments in the daily feed consumption rate. With regard to the results of blood biochemical characteristics (glucose, cholesterol, total protein) at the end of the experiment, there was a significant increase in glucose, as the third treatment recorded a significant increase (P ≤ 0.05) in its concentration compared to the second and first treatment, while the hormone thyroxine was recorded. T4 significantly increased (P ≤ 0.05) for the third treatment (1 mg chromium / day / lamb) at a rate of 8.202 nano moles / liter Compared to the first and second treatment (0.5 cholesterol / lamb / day) at a rate of 4.165 and 6.360 nano moles / liter respectively, In general the study showed that the addition of chromium to the diet led to an improvement in the weight of the lambs, achieving a significant weight gain and improving the efficiency of feed conversion in the Awassi lambs.