Chromium Methionine Supplementation Research Articles

Dietary chromium-methionine supplementation and broiler (22–43 days) responses during heat stress. 2 - Physiological variables, and heat shock protein 70 and insulin-like growth factor-1 gene expression

Dietary chromium-methionine supplementation and broiler (22–43 days) responses during heat stress. 2 - Physiological variables, and heat shock protein 70 and insulin-like growth factor-1 gene expression

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

This study aimed to determine the effects of the dietary supplementation of chromium methionine (CrMet) and ractopamine (RAC) on pigs in the growing-finishing stage under heat stress. The parameters evaluated included productive behavior, blood components, carcass characteristics, organ weight, and meat quality. This study was conducted during the summer season in Sonora, Mexico. The treatments included: (1) control diet (CON), a base diet (BD) formulated to satisfy the nutritional requirements of pigs; (2) RAC, BD plus 10 ppm RAC supplemented during the last 34 days of the study; (3) CrMet-S, BD supplemented with 0.8 ppm of Cr from CrMet during the last 34 days; and (4) CrMet-L, BD supplemented with 0.8 ppm of Cr from CrMet for an 81 d period. RAC supplementation improved the productive behavior and main carcass characteristics of the pigs compared with CON. However, RAC and CrMet supplementation during the last 34 days showed similar results in terms of weight gain, carcass quality, blood components, organ weight, and meat quality. The addition of CrMet-S had a moderate (although not significant) increase in productive performance and carcass weight. These findings are encouraging, as they suggest that CrMet may be a potential alternative for growth promotion. However, more research is needed.

Effects of concentrate level and chromium-methionine supplementation on the performance, nutrient digestibility, rumen fermentation, blood metabolites, and meat quality of Tan lambs.

ObjectiveThis study was conducted to evaluate the effects of concentrate level and chromium-methionine (Cr-Met) supplementation on the growth performance, carcass characteristics, meat quality, and fatty acid composition of Tan lambs.MethodsSixty male Tan lambs (21±1.23 kg body weight) fed a finishing diet (concentrate-to-forage ratio: 35:65 [LC group] or 55:45 [HC group]) with daily Cr-Met supplementation (0, 0.75, or 1.50 g) were used in a completely randomized design with a 2×3 factorial arrangement of treatments.ResultsLambs from the HC group had higher average daily gain, dry matter (DM) digestibility, dressing percentages, leg proportions, intramuscular fat (IMF) contents, and saturated fatty acid levels, but lower feed conversion ratios, globulin (GLB) and total protein (TP) concentrations, shear force, and monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) levels (all p<0.05). Cr-Met supplementation increased the DM digestibility, GLB and TP concentrations, rack and loin percentages, and cooking loss, but decreased the IMF contents and leg proportions (all p<0.05). Cr-Met supplementation at 0.75 g/d increased the conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) content in both the HC and LC groups (p<0.01). Significant interactions between the concentrate level and Cr-Met dosage were observed for MUFA (p<0.01) and polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) (p<0.01) levels. Meat from the lambs fed an unsupplemented LC diet presented the highest PUFA and MUFA levels (p<0.01). However, the MUFA and PUFA levels decreased significantly with increasing Cr-Met supplementation levels in the LC group (p<0.01), whereas the opposite trend was seen in the HC group.ConclusionThe HC diet improved the growth performance of Tan lambs, increased their profitability by increasing leg and rack joint proportions, and improved meat quality by promoting an IMF content that was more visibly acceptable to consumers. Cr-Met supplementation at 0.75 g/d in a HC diet was the best choice and may be economically beneficial.

Effect of chromium methionine supplementation on lactation performance, hepatic respiratory rate and anti-oxidative capacity in early-lactating dairy cows

Chromium may regulate dairy cow metabolism; a chelated formation of chromium methionine (Cr-Met) is available to the feed industry. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of Cr-Met supplementation on lactation performance, hepatic respiratory rate and anti-oxidative capacity in early-lactating Holstein dairy cows. 64 multiparous cows were assigned to 16 blocks based on parity and milk yield and then the four cows in a block were randomly allocated to four treatment groups with 0, 4, 8 or 16 g/d of Cr-Met per cow supplemented to a basal diet. Cows were moved from an open dry lot to a naturally ventilated tie stall barn 2 weeks before treatment to adapt to this facility, fed and milked at 0630, 1400, and 1930 h every day. The experiment lasted for 12 weeks. Milk yield and composition were recorded weekly. Dry matter intake was measured every 2 weeks for a total of six times throughout the trial. The plasma variables were measured in weeks 4, 8 and 12 of the experiment. Supplementation of Cr-Met did not affect DM intake of cows. As the supplementation of Cr-Met increased, yields of milk, fat, energy corrected milk (P < 0.01) and lactose (P = 0.01) increased in a linear manner. In terms of plasma variables, insulin concentration decreased in a linear manner with Cr-Met supplementation. As for variables relating to hepatic respiration rate, concentrations of pyruvate and NAD in the plasma were increased in quadratic manners, and lactic dehydrogenase activity was linearly increased as Cr-Met feeding levels increased. Moreover, plasma glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activity were increased in a linear manner. In conclusion, our study suggested that Cr-Met supplementation improved lactation performance of early-lactating dairy cows through enhancing antioxidant capacity and hepatic cellular respiration.

Effect of chromium-methionine supplementation on meat quality of broilers reared under heat stress

Effect of chromium-methionine supplementation on meat quality of broilers reared under heat stress

Dietary High Chromium-Methionine Supplementation in Summer-Exposed Finishing Lambs: Impacts on Feed Intake, Growth Performance, and Blood Cells, Antioxidants, and Minerals.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of dietary high doses of chromium-methionine (CrMet) supplementation on blood hemato-biochemical parameters and growth performance of finishing lambs reared under warm condition with average temperature-humidity index (THI) of 85.8 unit. Fifteen male lambs (31.9 ± 1.2 kg) fed with either un-supplemented diet (CON) or supplemented with 1.5 (Cr1.5) and 3 (Cr3) mg of Cr/kg dry matter (DM) for 8 weeks. The results showed that high levels of supplemental Cr had no negative impacts on red (RBC) and white blood cells (WBC). Blood total antioxidant capacity (TAOC) tended to be higher in CrMet-fed lambs than those of CON (P < 0.1). Serum malondialdehyde (MDA), as a lipid peroxidation marker, was, respectively, 20.24 and 22.1%, lower in lambs given 1.5 and 3 mg of chromium comparing those of CON (P < 0.05). Moreover, erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX, U/dL) displayed higher activity in Cr3 (421.2) group than those of CON (334.6) and Cr1.5 (351.2) groups (P < 0.05). Accordingly, GSH-PX activity per gram hemoglobin (U/gHb) was 45.9% greater in lambs of Cr3 than the CON (P < 0.05). Furthermore, feeding 3 mg of Cr led to increased erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity (P < 0.05): as such, SOD was 1193.1, 1281.5, and 1433.0 U/gHb in CON, Cr1.5, and Cr3, respectively. Chromium supplementation linearly decreased serum iron concentration (P < 0.05), but neither blood calcium, phosphorous, copper, zinc, and glucose concentrations nor aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase activities were affected by supplemental CrMet. In comparison with CON (1250), lambs in Cr1.5 (1199) and Cr3 (1192) groups had lower daily feed intake (g/d, P < 0.01). In addition, feed to gain ratio was 21.5% lower in the Cr3 group than the control (P < 0.05). Collectively, these findings suggest that feeding summer-exposed finishing lambs with 3 mg of Cr/kg DM improves blood antioxidant status and feed to gain efficiency without adverse effects on lambs' health and metabolism.

Dietary chromium-methionine supplementation and broiler (22–43 days) responses during heat stress. 1. Growth performance and carcass yield, metabolisable energy and serum biochemistry

Context Chromium (Cr) is considered a beneficial trace element. It has been reported that supplementation with Cr in the diet promotes improvements in the productive variables of broilers reared under heat stress (HS). Aim The study aimed to evaluate dose response of Cr as chromium-methionine (CrMet) supplementation on metabolisable energy, serum biochemistry, growth performance and carcass yield of broilers. Methods Three hundred and thirty-six 22-day-old male broiler chickens were randomly assigned to four blocks, six treatments (0, 0.10, 0.20, 0.40, 0.80 and 1.20 mg/kg dry matter (DM) Cr as CrMet), eight repetitions with seven birds per experimental unit, subjected to HS (33°C for 12h/day) from 22 to 43 days. The supplemented CrMet level for each variable studied was estimated using linear and quadratic regressions. Key results The bodyweight was quadratically affected at 35 and 43 days (P &amp;lt; 0.01), as well as bodyweight gain (P = 0.02) and feed conversion ratio (P = 0.01) from 22 to 43 days. A linear improvement (P = 0.03) was observed in the feed conversion ratio from 22 to 28 days and bodyweight gain for 22 to 35 days (P = 0.02). The nitrogen-corrected apparent metabolisable energy and the coefficient of metabolisation of energy were quadratically affected (P &amp;lt; 0.01 and P &amp;lt; 0.01, respectively) by CrMet levels in the diet. A quadratic response was observed on total serum cholesterol (P &amp;lt; 0.01), serum glucose (P = 0.07) and triacylglycerol (P &amp;lt; 0.01). The abdominal fat deposition was quadratically affected (P &amp;lt; 0.01) by CrMet levels in the diet. Conclusions The supplementation of 0.77 mg/kg DM Cr as CrMet improves performance, carcass characteristics and serum biochemistry parameters of broiler chickens reared under heat stress. Implications The results indicate that CrMet can be supplemented in the diet for broilers reared under heat stress to improve productivity of broiler chickens.

Leverage of Chromium Methionine Supplementation in Laying Japanese Quail’s Diets on Performance, Quality, and Blood Traits Challenged by Heat Stress

Leverage of Chromium Methionine Supplementation in Laying Japanese Quail’s Diets on Performance, Quality, and Blood Traits Challenged by Heat Stress

Impacts of feeding zinc-methionine or chromium-methionine on performance, antioxidant status and physiological responses to transportation stress on lambs

Context Road transportation of farm animals is an unavoidable activity in animal husbandry, which may lead to the stress. Metabolic modifiers, such as minerals, may be an effective strategy to improve the performance and immune system of animals. Aims The present study examined the effects of chromium-methionine (Cr-Met) and zinc-methionine (Zn-Met) supplementation on animal performance and response to transportation stress. Methods Eighteen lambs (18–20 weeks of age) were randomly assigned to the following three dietary treatments for 10 weeks: (1) basal diet (control, 0.021 g/kg Zn and 0.0001 g/kg Cr); (2) basal diet with addition of 10 Cr-Met mg/kg DM (containing 1 mg/kg Cr); and (3) basal diet with addition of 500 Zn-Met mg/kg DM (containing 50 mg/kg Zn). After a 6-week supplementation period, the lambs were transported by road for 3 h. Key results Mineral supplements did not affect final bodyweight, average daily gain or feed conversion ratio. The blood cortisol and aspartate aminotransferase concentrations were increased (P &amp;lt; 0.05) immediately after transportation (AT1) in all groups; however, they were lower in supplemented lambs than in the control (P &amp;lt; 0.05). Animals fed Cr-Met or Zn-Met diets had a higher albumin concentration at AT1 than did the control group (P &amp;lt; 0.05). Lambs on the Zn-Met diet showed a higher blood triiodothyronine and triiodothyronine to thyroxin ratio at AT1 and at 24 h after transportation (AT2) than did lambs receiving the control diet (P &amp;lt; 0.05). Lambs fed the Cr-Met diet had a lower blood malondialdehyde at AT1 and AT2 than did the control lambs (P &amp;lt; 0.05). Total antioxidant capacity (TAC) was higher in the Zn-Met-supplemented group than in other groups (P &amp;lt; 0.05). Supplementation with dietary Zn-Met increased serum TAC concentration in the kidney tissue compared with the control (P &amp;lt; 0.05), but had no effect on superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities. The Cr-Met group showed also a lower malondialdehyde concentration (P &amp;lt; 0.05) and higher TAC, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities in the liver tissue (P &amp;lt; 0.05). Conclusions Dietary supplementation with 10 mg Cr-Met/kg (1 mg Cr) in comparison to 500 mg Zn-Met/kg (50 mg Zn) improved the stress response of lambs subjected to a short-time road transportation, whereas growth performance was not affected. Implications The administration of Cr-Met or Zn-Met to diet of lambs before transportation could reduce the adverse effects of road transportation stress.

Growth performance, carcass characteristics and meat quality of pigs fed sorghum-soybean meal diets with chromium methionine supplementation at different stages

Se evaluó el efecto de la suplementación con metionina de cromo (Met-Cr) sobre el desempeño productivo y características de la canal en cerdos en finalización. Se evaluaron 3 tratamientos; 1) testigo en donde los cerdos fueron alimentados con dietas de finalización de 60 a 100 kg; 2) testigo + 0.8 mg de Cr/kg de alimento desde 60 hasta 100 kg; y 3) testigo + 0.8 mg de Cr/kg de alimento desde 80 hasta 100 kg. Los cerdos suplementados con MetCr consumieron menos alimento (P≤0.05), crecieron más rápido (P≤0.05) y fueron más pesados (P≤0.05) y más eficientes (P≤0.05) que los cerdos testigo, pero el efecto benéfico fue mayor cuando la suplementación inició a menor peso. La adición de Met-Cr incrementó el área del músculo Longissimus dorsi (P≤0.01), el rendimiento de canal (P≤0.01) y redujo el espesor de grasa dorsal (P≤0.01). Además, la carne de cerdos suplementados presentó valores de pH y luminosidad (L*) más bajos (P≤0.01) que de cerdos testigo. Incluso, el consumo de Met-Cr redujo las pérdidas a la cocción (P≤0.01) y la fuerza de corte (P≤0.01), pero el efecto sobre la suavidad fue mayor al suplementar a menor peso. En conclusión, la suplementación de Met-Cr en cerdos mejora el desempeño productivo, las características de la canal y algunos indicadores de calidad de la carne, pero la etapa en que inicia la suplementación con Cr puede afectar la respuesta animal.

Supplementation of Cr Methionine During Dry Period of Dairy Cows and Its Effect on Some Production and Biochemical Parameters During Early Lactation and on Immunity of Their Offspring

This study aimed to investigate the effect of dietary chromium methionine (Cr-Met) supplementation on the production and immunological parameters of dairy cows during the dry and postpartum period and their offspring. Forty-five Holstein transition cows were randomly assigned to experimental groups with control, positive control (levamisole-injected cows), and treatment groups (5g dietary Cr-Met/day/cow). Production, immunological, and biochemical parameters were analyzed during the dry and postpartum period. Result revealed that in dry cows, monocyte count and serum glucose level significantly (p < 0.05) decrease in Cr-supplemented cows over control. Similarly, after parturition, the numbers of all immune cells (except monocytes) decreased significantly (p < 0.05); however, serum IgG, ALT, AST, glucose levels, and total leucocyte, neutrophil, and leucocyte count were increased significantly (p < 0.05) in Cr-supplemented cows over the control group. Days in milk (DIM) of treatment cows were significantly (p < 0.05) decreased over the control group; however, no significant (p > 0.05) differences were observed on milk production, colostrum, and IgG concentrations. As a conclusion, the supplementation of Cr had positive effects on immune cells of cows after parturition; however, serum biochemical parameters remained unaffected. Also, there were significant differences on the number of total leucocyte and neutrophil, on the activity of ALT at birthday, and on the number of total leucocyte at postpartum for calves.

Effects of Dietary Chromium Methionine on Growth Performance, Hematological Characteristics and Carbohydrate Metabolic Enzyme Activities of Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio)

A 60-day feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary chromium methionine (Cr-Met) supplementation on growth performance, digestive enzymes, hematological characteristics, and carbohydrate metabolic key enzyme activities in juvenile common carp (Cyprinus carpio). Seven diets (32.2% crude protein, 6% crude lipids of dry matter) were formulated to contain graded levels of Cr3+ (0.31, 0.43, 0.57, 0.73, 1.13, 1.90 and 3.64 mg/kg, respectively). Each diet was randomly assigned to triplicate groups of 60 juvenile common carp (approximately 40.95±4.80 g), which were stocked in plastic tanks. The results indicated that the highest weight gain (WG), specific growth rate (SGR), feed efficiency (FE), and protein efficiency ratio (PER), were observed in fish fed the diet containing 1.13 mg/kg Cr3+. There were no significant differences in the wholebody compositions; however the glycogen levels in the muscle and hepatopancreas in fish fed the basal diet were lower than those fed the other diets. The insulin (INS) and glycogen (GC) concentrations in the serum were not significantly influenced by the dietary Cr-Met levels. However, fish fed the basal diet had higher glucose and cortisol concentrations, and lower insulin receptor (ISR) and LDH concentrations in the serum than those fed diets supplemented with Cr-Met. Fish fed the 1.13 mg/kg Cr3+ diet had significantly higher hexokinase (HK), 6-phosphofructo-1-kinase (6-PFK1), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH), glycogen synthase (GS), and lower phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) activities than those fed the basal diet. Based on the two-slope broken line model analysis between SGR and dietary Cr3+ levels, the optimal dietary Cr3+ supplement level was estimated to be 1.09 mg/kg for juvenile common carp.

Selenium-methionine and chromium-methionine supplementation of sheep around parturition: impacts on dam and offspring performance

ABSTRACTTo examine the effects of maternal energy restriction along with selenium-methionine (Se-Met) and chromium-methionine (Cr-Met) supplementation on performance of pregnant sheep and their offspring, the following treatments were allotted randomly to 40 multiparous Baluchi ewes (53.9 ± 1.15 kg of body weight [BW]) from 5 weeks prior to 5 weeks after parturition: (1) Control diet (60% and 100% of NRC energy requirements in pre- and post-partum, respectively); (2) Control diet plus 5 mg Se-Met/kg dry matter (DM); (3) Control diet plus 3 mg Cr-Met/kg DM and (4) Control diet plus 5 mg Se-Met and 3 mg Cr-Met/kg DM (Se–Cr-Met) of concentrate diet. The results indicated that Cr-Met alone or in combination with Se-Met increased average DM intake of ewes. In addition, Group Cr-Met had higher average BW than the Control (p < 0.05). Se-Met and/or Cr-Met supplementation led to decreased average serum cholesterol of the ewes (p < 0.05). Groups Cr-Met and Se–Cr-Met displayed decreased average serum malondialdehyde compared to the Control (p < 0.05). At 24 h post-partum, Group Se–Cr-Met had a greater serum Se content than the Control (p = 0.006). Compared with the Control, the Se concentration in milk was significantly increased from 30 to 138 µg/l and 197 µg/l in Groups Se-Met and Se–Cr-Met, respectively (p < 0.01), which proved that Se-Met supplementation can increase the Se concentration of ewe milk. Furthermore, feeding Cr-Met may attenuate BW loss post-partum and Se-Met and/or Cr-Met supplements may ameliorate oxidative stress condition in ewes around parturition.

Effects of Chromium Methionine Supplementation with Different Sources of Zinc on Growth Performance, Carcass Traits, Meat Quality, Serum Metabolites, Endocrine Parameters, and the Antioxidant Status in Growing-Finishing Pigs.

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of chromium methionine with/without zinc sulfate or zinc amino acid complex on the growth performance, carcass traits, meat quality, serum parameters, endocrine parameters, and antioxidant status of growing-finishing pigs. A total of 180 (32.0±1.7kg body weight, BW) crossbred pigs (Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire) were used in a completely randomized design with three dietary treatments and 10 replicates per treatment (five pens of barrows and five pens of gilts with six pigs per replicate). Three treatments were corn-soybean meal-based diets supplemented with 100mg Zn/kg from zinc sulfate (ZnSO4), 100mg Zn/kg from ZnSO4+0.2mg Cr/kg from chromium methionine complex (CrMet), or 50mg Zn/kg from ZnSO4+50mg Zn/kg from zinc amino acid complex (ZnAA)+0.2mg Cr/kg from CrMet, respectively. The experiment lasted 105days, of which was divided into three stages including phase 1 (30 to 50kg BW), phase 2 (50 to 80kg BW), and phase 3 (80 to 110kg BW). Results showed that supplementation with CrMet and ZnAA improved (P<0.05) the feed conversion of the pigs in phase 2, phase 3, and the overall experiment. Hot carcass weight, dressing percentage, and a longissimus dorsi muscle area were increased (P<0.05) in pigs fed with diets supplemented with both CrMet and ZnAA compared with pigs fed with diets containing only ZnSO4 (P<0.05). There was also an increase (P<0.01) pH24h in the longissimus dorsi muscle in pigs fed with diets supplemented with CrMet and ZnAA. The concentration of serum glucose in pigs fed with diets containing CrMet and ZnAA was decreased (P<0.05) compared with that in pigs fed with the diet containing ZnSO4. Supplementation with CrMet and ZnAA increased (P<0.05) the circulating levels of insulin and decreased (P<0.05) cortisol. There was an increase (P<0.05) in total serum antioxidant capacity and Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase activity as well as a decrease (P<0.05) in serum malondialdehyde concentrations in pigs fed with diets supplemented with CrMet and ZnAA compared with pigs fed with the diet supplemented only with ZnSO4. In conclusion, supplementation of CrMet only or CrMet together with ZnAA improved feed conversion, carcass traits, and meat quality in the growing-finishing pigs.

Effects of Chromium Methionine Supplementation on Blood Metabolites and Fatty Acid Profile of Beef during Late Fattening Period in Holstein Steers

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of chromium methionine (Cr-Met) chelate supplementation on blood metabolites and fatty acid profile of beef from Holstein steers during late fattening period. Fifteen Holstein steers were allotted randomly into two groups including the control (non Cr-Met feeding, NCM, ave. body weight [BW] = 483±25.7 kg) and the treatment (Cr-Met feeding for 4 months, 4CM, ave. BW = 486±27.5 kg) group. The feeding amount of Cr-Met to animals was limited to 400 ppb/cow/d and was supplemented to total mixed ration. No difference in blood albumin, alkaline phosphatase, urea-nitrogen, calcium, creatine, glucose, total protein, triglyceride, and cholesterol were observed between the treatment groups (p>0.05). The level of high density lipoprotein was higher in the 4CM group than the NCM group, whereas low density lipoprotein was lower in the 4CM group (p<0.05). The fatty acid composition (caprate, laurate, myristate, pentadecanoate, palmitate, palmitoleate, margarate, cis-11 heptadodecanoate, stearate, oleate, trans-vaccenate, linoleate, cis-11 eicosenoate, docosa hexaenoic acid, and docosa pentaenoic acid) of the beef showed no difference between the two groups (p>0.05). The arachidonic acid level tended to be higher in the 4CM than the NCM group (p = 0.07). Cr-Met had no influence (p>0.05) on the ratio of saturated, unsaturated, unsaturated/saturated, monounsaturated/saturated and polyunsaturated/saturated fatty acids whereas the ratio of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in the 4CM group was comparatively higher than the NCM group (p<0.05). This study concluded that feeding Cr-Met supplementation in 400 ppb/d to Holstein steers for 4 months during late fattening period can improve some blood metabolites and beef quality by increasing PUFA and gamma-linoleate compositions of beef.

Dietary chromium methionine supplementation could alleviate immunosuppressive effects of heat stress in broiler chicks.

The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation of chromium methionine (CrMet) on performance, immune responses, and stress status of broiler chicks subjected to heat-stress conditions. A total of 450 day-old Ross 308 broiler chicks were randomly distributed between 5 replicate pens (15 birds each) of 6 experimental treatments according to a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement of treatments including 2 temperature conditions (thermoneutral and heat stress) and 3 supplemental Cr levels (0, 500, and 1,000 μg/kg as CrMet). For induction of heat stress, the house temperature was set at 35 ± 2°C from 15 to 42 d of age. Results showed that the chicks subjected to heat-stress condition had lower (P < 0.01) feed intake, BW gain, and deteriorated (P < 0.05) feed conversion values compared with those kept in the thermoneutral house. Dietary supplementation with CrMet increased (P < 0.01) feed intake and improved (P < 0.01) weight gain and feed efficiency. There were significant Cr level × temperature interactions, so that inclusion of CrMet into the diets was more effective in heat-stressed chicks. Exposure to heat stress suppressed (P < 0.01) cutaneous hypersensivity response to phytohemagglutinin-P injection at 30 d of age, and dietary supplementation of 500 μg Cr/kg induced (P < 0.05) this response, with the greater impacts in heat-stressed chicks, resulting in a significant (P < 0.01) Cr × temperature interaction. Antibody responses against Newcastle and infectious bronchitis disease viruses were diminished (P < 0.01) in heat-stressed chicks. Dietary inclusion of CrMet improved (P < 0.05) antibody responses to different immunostimulants, and this effect was more pronounced in heat-stressed chicks. Exposure to heat stress caused a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in the proportion of helper (CD4+) T lymphocytes and increased cytotoxic (CD8+) T lymphocytes, resulting in a decreased (P < 0.01) CD4+ to CD8+ ratio in peripheral blood circulation. Supplementation of CrMet to heat-stressed chicks modulated (P < 0.01) plasma corticosterone level. The present findings indicate that dietary CrMet supplementation could alleviate heat-stress-induced growth retardation in broiler chicks. Moreover, supplemental CrMet modulated suppressive effects of heat stress on cellular and humoral immune responses.

Effects of high-level chromium methionine supplementation in lambs fed a corn-based diet on the carcass characteristics and chemical composition of the longissimus muscle

Twenty-four male lambs (24.93 ± 0.93 kg) were used in order to evaluate the effects of chromium methionine (Cr) supplementation in high-energy finishing diets on the carcass characteristics and chemical composition of the longissimus muscle (LM). Treatments were 0.00, 0.60, 1.20, and 1.80 mg Cr/lamb daily. The experiment lasted 56 days. There were no effects of treatments on dry matter intake, feed to gain ratio, and final weight, which averaged 35.24 ± 1.01 kg. Supplemental Cr linearly decreased fat thickness enough to improve the estimated yield grade from 1.82 to 1.42 with no effect on the other carcass traits measured. Fat concentration in the LM decreased linearly as the level of Cr increased in diets, but protein concentration remain constant and so the protein/fat ratio in the LM increased. It is concluded that Cr supplementation has a modulating effect on carcasses by reducing fat; maximal response was reached at a daily dose of 1.80 mg Cr/head.

Impacts of feeding selenium-methionine and chromium-methionine on performance, serum components, antioxidant status, and physiological responses to transportation stress of Baluchi ewe lambs.

The effects of selenium-methionine (Se-Met) and chromium-methionine (Cr-Met) supplementation on performance and response to transportation stress were studied on 24 Baluchi ewe lambs (18-20 weeks of age) for 9 weeks. The lambs were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments: (1) control; (2) 1.5 mg supplemental Se-Met/kg dry matter (DM) of diet; (3) 0.8 mg supplemental Cr-Met/kg DM of diet; and (4) 1.5 mg Se-Met plus 0.8 mg Cr-Met/kg DM of diet (Se-Cr-Met). At the commencement of week 8, a road transportation stress (TS) was carried out for 30 min. Lambs fed Cr-Met and Se-Cr-Met diets had higher feed intake than the control and Se-Met animals (P < 0.0001). Lambs on Cr-Met diet showed higher average daily gain (ADG) compared to the control group (P = 0.007). Se-Met and Cr-Met supplementation alone or in combination significantly (P < 0.05) reduced feed conversion ratio (FCR). The animals that received Se-Met (P = 0.014), Cr-Met (P = 0.005), and Se-Cr-Met (P = 0.003) supplemented diets had lower glucose concentration than the control. Lambs on Cr-Met had higher blood T3 concentration than control animals (P = 0.040), while Cr-Met (P = 0.039) and Se-Cr-Met (P = 0.032) supplementation increased triiodothyronine (T3) to thyroxin (T4) ratio. Animals fed Se-Met and/or Cr-Met supplements had lower blood malondialdehyde (MDA) in week 9 of the experiment (P < 0.05). Blood ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) tended to be higher in the Se-Met- and Se-Cr-Met-supplemented groups (P < 0.1).TS reduced feed intake in lambs fed the control diet in week 8 of the experiment (P = 0.003). The lambs given with supplemental Cr-Met exhibited lower glucose concentration before transportation (BT) (P = 0.029) and after transportation (AT) (P = 0.016) compared to the control. Lambs fed Se-Cr-Met had the lowest cortisol concentration BT (P < 0.05). It was concluded that feeding Se-Met and/or Cr-Met supplements could improve growth performance and be beneficial in attenuating the adverse effects of transportation stress in Baluchi ewe lambs.

Effect of supplementing finishing pigs with different sources of chromium on performance and meat quality

The objective was to evaluate the dietary supplementation of different sources of chromium (inorganic: chromium sulfate and chelated: chromium-methionine) during the finishing period of pigs to obtain improvements in the animal performance, and carcass and meat quality. The statistical design was randomized blocks, where 44 barrows, with an initial weight 60.49±5.12 kg, were divided into four blocks (heavier, heavy, light and lighter) according to initial weight. The experimental diets were isoenergetic and isonutrient, except for the chromium level. The treatments were divided as follows: control (without chromium), control + 200 ppb of inorganic chromium (chromium sulfate), and control + 200 ppb of chelated chromium (chromium-methionine). In the performance measures, the stall was considered the experimental unit and in the blood parameters, carcass and meat evaluations each animal constituted the experimental unit. Animals were slaughtered when they reached the final average weight of 107.23±5.23 kg. Blood samples were collected and tested for blood parameters (cholesterol, triglycerides and glucose) as well as carcass quality (hot and cold weights, yield, loin-eye area, muscle depth and backfat thickness) and meat quality (initial and final pH, drip loss, color, chemical composition and lipid oxidation) parameters. Chromium-methionine supplementation provides a greater daily weight gain only compared with the animals that are not supplemented with chromium, because feed conversion is better as compared with the other treatments. After 24 hours of storage, the meat from pigs supplemented either with chromium-methionine or with chromium sulfate presents lower lipid oxidation than that from non-supplemented animals. However, after three days of storage, only chromim-methionine is effective in reducing lipid oxidation.

Effects of chromium methionine supplementation on performance, carcass traits, and the Ca and P metabolism of broiler chickens under heat-stress conditions

SUMMARY We investigated the effects of different levels of chromium methionine (CrMet) on the performance, carcass traits, and Ca and P metabolism of broiler chickens under conditions of heat stress. A total of 288 male broiler chickens (Ross 308) were allocated to 4 treatment groups (supplementation with 0, 200, 400, or 800 ppb of Cr in the form of CrMet) in a completely randomized design. The experiments were conducted under heat-stress conditions, but all birds were kept below 33 ± 2°C. The BW and feed intake of the broilers supplemented with Cr increased at 800-ppb concentrations of Cr (P 0.05). Chromium supplementation did, however, increase carcass yield and decrease the abdominal fat contents. The serum Ca and P levels of the broilers were unaffected (P > 0.05) by different level of CrMet supplementation, but the alkaline phosphatase activity significantly (P < 0.05) decreased by these treatments. Therefore, supplemental CrMet at the level of 800 ppb can improve both performance and carcass traits in broiler chickens reared under heat-stress conditions.