Effects of Chromium Propionate Supplementation on Growth Performance, Serum Traits and Immune Response in Weaned Pigs

T.-F Lien,K.-J Lin,K.-H Yang

doi:10.5713/ajas.2005.403

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of chromium propionate on growth performance, serum traits and immune response in weaned pigs. Twenty-four 4 wk-old crossbred weanling pigs (initial body weight about 9.52′0.48 kg) wererandomly allotted into one of two groups, a control group (basal diet), chromium propionate group (diet supplemented with 200 μg kg - 1 (ppb) of chromium propionate). This experiment was conducted over nine weeks. Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) 100 μg kg - 1 BW was used as the stress-inducing agent in the middle (4 wks) and final (8 wks) periods. The experimental results indicated that chromium propionate had no effect on growth performance (p>0.05). Chromium propionate supplementation reduced the percentage of LDL+VLDL (low and very low-density lipoprotein) and increased HDL (high-density lipoprotein), but did not affect other serum traits. Pigs supplemented with chromium propionate had higher antibody titers specific for sheep red blood cells (SRBC) and serum total globulin relative to the control during the final period (p<0.05). A challenge with LPS increased white blood cells in the chromium propionate group in both experimental periods (p<0.05). The chromium propionate group exhibited higher IgG and γ-globulin than the control during the middle experimental period (p<0.05). Moreover, the PHA (phytohemagglutinin) challenge result in the chromium propionate group was better than the control group (p=0.056). Greater neutrophil activity was displayed than in the control (p<0.05). This suggests that chromium propionate supplementation benefited the weaned pigs in lipoprotein and immune response.

Highlights

Trivalent chromium, a recognized cofactor of insulin, is involved in carbohydrate (Rosebrough and Steele, 1981), lipids (Press et al, 1990; McCart, 1991), amino acids and nucleic acids metabolism (Okada et al, 1984; Ohba et al., 1986; Page et al, 1993)
Twenty-four 4 wk-old crossbred (Landrace×Duroc) weanling pigs with both sexes in equal numbers were randomly allotted into one of two groups; control and chromium propionate groups (diet supplemented with 200 μg kg-1 of chromium propionate) (Kemin Industry, Singapo)
This study found that chromium propionate supplementation did not improve pig growth performance

Summary

Introduction

A recognized cofactor of insulin, is involved in carbohydrate (Rosebrough and Steele, 1981), lipids (Press et al, 1990; McCart, 1991), amino acids and nucleic acids metabolism (Okada et al, 1984; Ohba et al., 1986; Page et al, 1993). Chromium plays a prominent physiological role in humans (Evans, 1989,1992; Press et al, 1990) and animals (Lien et al, 1996,1998,1999a,1999b, 2001), and is considered an essential trace element. Organic trivalent chromium with low toxicity (Evans, 1989; Walker, 1993), has been shown to reduce blood glucose, cholesterol, body fat and stimulate muscle development in humans (Anderson, 1986; Evans, 1989; Press et al, 1990). The NRC (1989) has recommended that humans consume 50-200 ppb trivalent chromium daily. Enhancing the immune response of weaning pigs by nutritional means might improve pig health and reduce the cost of medical treatment

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Conclusion