Effects of chromium supplementation on growth rate and metabolism in fattening bulls

• Published in: Acta veterinaria Brno Vol. 71; no. 4; pp. 535 - 541
• Main Authors: Pechova, A, Illek, J, Sindelar, M, Pavlata, L. (Veterinarni a Farmaceuticka Univ., Brno (Czech Republic). Klinika Chorob Prezvykavcu)
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.12.2002
• Subjects: ALIMENTACION DE LOS ANIMALES; ALIMENTATION DES ANIMAUX; ALKALINE PHOSPHATASE; ANIMAL FEEDING; ASPARTATE AMINOTRANSFERASE; ASPARTATO AMINOTRANSFERASA; AZUCAR EN SANGRE; BLOOD COMPOSITION; BLOOD SUGAR; BULLS; CALCIO; CALCIUM; CHEMICAL COMPOSITION; CHOLESTEROL; CHROME; CHROMIUM; CINC; COBRE; COLESTEROL; COMPOSICION DE LA SANGRE; COMPOSICION QUIMICA; COMPOSITION CHIMIQUE; COMPOSITION DU SANG; CONTENIDO PROTEICO; COPPER; CREATINA QUINASA; CREATINE KINASE; CROMO; CUIVRE; ENGORDE; ENGRAISSEMENT; ENSILADO; ENSILAGE (PRODUIT); FATTENING; FOSFATASA ALCALINA; FOSFORO; GAIN DE POIDS; GANANCIA DE PESO; GROWTH RATE; INDICE DE CRECIMIENTO; LACTATE DEHYDROGENASE; LACTATE DESHYDROGENASE; LACTATO DESHIDROGENASA; MAGNESIO; MAGNESIUM; METABOLISM; METABOLISME; METABOLISMO; PHOSPHATASE ALCALINE; PHOSPHORE; PHOSPHORUS; POTASIO; POTASSIUM; PROTEIN CONTENT; SILAGE; SODIO; SODIUM; SUCRE DU SANG; TAUREAU; TAUX DE CROISSANCE; TENEUR EN PROTEINES; TORO; TRIGLICERIDOS; TRIGLYCERIDE; TRIGLYCERIDES; UREA; UREE; WEIGHT GAIN; ZINC
• ISSN: 0001-7213; 1801-7576
• DOI: 10.2754/avb200271040535

Effects of chromium supplementation on growth rate and selected metabolic indexes including interactions with trace elements (zinc, copper) were investigated in 8-month-old bulls divided into one experimental (E, n=8) and one control (C, n=9) group with mean live weights 284.9+/-33.9 and 279.6+/-27.0 kg, respectively. The experimental group was fed a diet supplemented with chromium-enriched yeasts in a dose corresponding to the intake of 5 mg of Cr per animal per day in the first phase (up to day 136) and 8 g per animal per day in the second phase (days 136 to 220) of the fattening period. The bulls were weighed and blood samples were collected on days 1, 136 and 220 of the experimental period. Favourable effects of chromium supplementation were evident from significantly higher weight gains in the first fattening phase (1.04 vs. 0.82 kg). The diference diminished and was not significant in the second phase of fattening (0.82 vs. 0.74). The concentrations of protein on days 136 and 220, total cholesterol on day 136, copper on days 136 and 220 were significantly higher and concentrations of magnesium on day 220, phosphorus on days 136 were significantly lower in experimental than in control bulls. No effects on the concentrations of glucose, urea, Na, K, Zn, AST, GMT, LD, ALP, and CK were observed.