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Performance Traits and Metabolic Responses in Goats (Capra hircus) Supplemented with Inorganic Trivalent Chromium

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Abstract

The effects of supplemental chromium (Cr) as chromic chloride hexahydrate in incremental dose levels (0, 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 mg/day for 240 days) on metabolism of nutrients and trace elements were determined in dwarf Bengal goats (Capra hircus, castrated males, average age 3 months, n = 24, initial mean body weight 6.4 ± 0.22 kg). Live weight increased linearly (p < 0.05) with the level of supplemental Cr. Organic matter and crude protein digestibility, intake of total digestible nutrients, and retention of N (g/g N intake) increased (p < 0.05) in a dose-dependent linear manner. Serum cholesterol and tryacylglycerol concentrations changed inversely with the dose of supplemental Cr (p < 0.01). Supplemental Cr positively influenced retention of copper and iron (p < 0.05) causing linear increase (p < 0.01) in their serum concentrations. It was concluded that Cr supplementation may improve utilization of nutrients including the trace elements and may also elicit a hypolidemic effect in goats. However, further study with regards to optimization of dose is warranted.

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Acknowledgment

The authors acknowledge the financial grant obtained from the Agricultural Produce Cess Fund of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi, India for carrying out the research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Animal Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, West Bengal University of Animal & Fishery Sciences, 37 Kshudiram Bose Sarani, Kolkata, 700037, India

    Sudipto Haldar, Souvik Mondal, Saikat Samanta & Tapan Kumar Ghosh

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  1. Sudipto Haldar
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  2. Souvik Mondal
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  3. Saikat Samanta
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  4. Tapan Kumar Ghosh
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Correspondence to Sudipto Haldar.

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Haldar, S., Mondal, S., Samanta, S. et al. Performance Traits and Metabolic Responses in Goats (Capra hircus) Supplemented with Inorganic Trivalent Chromium. Biol Trace Elem Res 131, 110–123 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-009-8356-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-009-8356-3

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