Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Chromium Supplements in the Feed for Lactating Murrah Buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis): Influence on Nutrient Utilization, Lactation Performance, and Metabolic Responses

  • Published:
Biological Trace Element Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of different levels of inorganic chromium (Cr) on nutrient intake, nutrient utilization, milk mineral contents, and blood biochemical in lactating Murrah buffaloes. Twenty-four multifarious Murrah buffaloes were blocked into four groups having six animals in each group and fed for 150 days post-partum. Feeding regimen was same in all the groups except that treatment groups were supplemented with 0.0, 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 mg inorganic Cr/kg dry matter (DM) in the four respective groups. Group fed on basal diet supplemented with 0.0 mg Cr/kg DM served as a control. Adding inorganic Cr to the diet of lactating buffaloes increased feed intake, milk yield, and nutrient digestibility. Nitrogen (N) and Cr balance were significantly increased (P < 0.05) by adding Cr. Milk and plasma Cr concentration could be increased by adding Cr (P < 0.001), while no significant differences were found between the four treatments in milk and plasma concentration of calcium (Ca), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn). Feeding of diet supplemented with inorganic Cr decreased plasma insulin concentration (P = 0.016). Concentration of blood glucose and the ratio of blood glucose to insulin were increased by adding Cr (P = 0.037 and P = 0.011, respectively). Adding Cr to the diet of lactating buffaloes did not show any effect on blood hemoglobin (Hb), while plasma concentration of progesterone and antioxidant status was increased (P < 0.05). It could be concluded that adding Cr to the diet of lactating buffaloes improved nutrient intake, nutrient utilization, and lactation performance.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Burton JL, Nonnecke BJ, Elsasser TH, Mallard BA, Yang WZ, Mowat DN (1995) Immunomodulatory activity of blood serum from chromium supplemented periparturient dairy cows. Vet Immunol Immunopathol 49:29–38

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Vincent JB (1994) Relationship between glucose tolerance factor and low-molecular-weight chromium-binding substance. J Nutr 124:117–119

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Davis CM, Vincent JB (1997) Isolation and characterization of a biologically active chromium oligopeptide from bovine liver. Arch Biochem Biophys 339:335–343

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Kim DS, Kim TW, Kang JS (2004) Chromium picolinate supplementation improves insulin sensitivity in Goto-Kakizaki diabetic rats. J Trace Elem Med Bio 17:243–247

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Król E, Krejpcio Z (2011) Evaluation of anti-diabetic potential of chromium (III) propionate complex in high-fat diet fed and STZ injected rats. Food Chem Toxicol 49(12):3217–3223

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Anderson RA (1994) Stress effects on chromium nutrition of humans and farm animals. Biotechnology in the Feed Industry. In: Lyons TP, Jacques KA (eds) Proceedings of Alltech’s Tenth Annual Symposium. Nottingham University Press, UK, pp 267–274

    Google Scholar 

  7. Smith KL, Waldron MR, Drackley JK, Socha MT, Overton TR (2005) Performance of dairy cows as affected by prepartum dietary carbohydrate source and supplementation with chromium throughout the transition period. J Dairy Sci 88:255–263

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Kumar M, Kaur H, Tyagi A, Mani V, Deka RS, Chandra G, Sharma VK (2013) Assessment of chromium content of feedstuffs, their estimated requirement, and effects of dietary chromium supplementation on nutrient utilization, growth performance, and mineral balance in summer-exposed buffalo calves (Bubalus bubalis). Biol Trace Elem Res 155:29–37

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Sadri H, Ghorbani GR, Rahmani HR, Samie AH, Khorvash M, Bruckmaier RM (2009) Chromium supplementation and substitution of barley grain with corn: effects on performance and lactation in periparturient dairy cows. J Dairy Sci 92:5411–5418

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Hayirli A, Bremmer DR, Bertics SJ, SochaMT GRR (2001) Effect of chromium supplementation on production and metabolic parameters in periparturient dairy cows. J Dairy Sci 84:1218–1230

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. McNamara JP, Valdez F (2005) Adipose tissue metabolism and production responses to calcium propionate and chromium propionate. J Dairy Sci 88:2498–2507

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. National Research Council (2001) Nutrient Requirements of Dairy Cattle, 7th Revised edn. National Academy press, Washington

    Google Scholar 

  13. Association of Official Analytical Chemists (1995) Official methods of analysis. 16th edn. Arlington, Virginia

  14. Van Soest PJ, Robertson JB, Lewis BA (1991) Methods for dietary fiber, neutral detergent fiber, and non starch polysaccharides in relation to animal nutrition. J Dairy Sci 74:358–397

    Google Scholar 

  15. Drabkin DL (1944) Photometry and spectrometry: medical physics, 1. Year book medical publishers. Inc, Chicago

    Google Scholar 

  16. Kamboj M, Prakash BS (1993) Relationship of progesterone in plasma and whole milk of buffaloes during cyclicity and early pregnancy. Trop Anim Hlth Prod 25:185–192

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Benzie EFI, Strain JJ (1999) Ferric reducing antioxidant power assay: direct measurement of total antioxidant activity of biological fluids and modified version for simultaneous measurement of total antioxidant and ascorbic acid concentration. Methods Enzymol 299:15–27

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Rice VA, Andrews FN, Warnwick EJ, Legates JE (1970) Breeding and Improvement of Farm Animals, 6th edn. Tata Mc Grah Hill Publishing Company Ltd, Bombay

    Google Scholar 

  19. SAS Institute (2002) SAS User’s Guide: Statistics. SAS Inst. Inc., Cary, NC USA

  20. Smith KL, Waldron MR, Ruzzi LC, Drackley JK, Socha MT, Overton TR (2008) Metabolism of dairy cows as affected by prepartum dietary carbohydrate source and supplementation with chromium throughout the periparturient period. J Dairy Sci 91:2011–2020

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Soltan MA (2010) Effect of dietary chromium supplementation on productive and reproductive performance of early lactating dairy cows under heat stress. J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr 94:264–272

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Vargas-Rodriguez CF, Yuan K, Titgemeyer EC, Mamedova LK, Griswold KE (2014) Effect of supplemental chromium propionate and rumen-protected amino acids on productivity, diet digestibility, and energy balance of peak-lactation dairy cattle. J Dairy Sci 97:3815–3821

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Biswas P, Haldar S, Pakhira MC, Ghosh TK, Biswas C (2006) Efficiency of nutrient utilization and reproductive performances of pre pubertal anestrous dairy heifers supplemented with inorganic and organic chromium compounds. J Sci Food Agric 86:804–815

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Yang WZ, Mowat DN, Subiyatno A, Liptrap RM (1996) Effects of chromium supplementation on early lactation performance of Holstein cows. Can J Anim Sci 76:221–230

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Rikhari K, Tiwari DP, Kumar A (2010) Effect of dietary supplemental chromium on nutrient utilization, rumen metabolites and enzyme activities in fistulated crossbred male cattle. Indian J Anim Sci 80:156–161

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Kumar M, Kaur H, Deka RS, Mani V, Tyagi AK, Chandra G (2015) Dietary inorganic chromium in summer-exposed buffalo calves (Bubalus bubalis): effects on biomarkers of heat stress, immune status, and endocrine variables. Biol Trace Elem Res. doi:10.1007/s12011-015-0272-0

    Google Scholar 

  27. Depew CL, Bunting LD, Fernandez JM, Thompson DL, Adkinson RW (1998) Performance and metabolic responses of young dairy calves fed diets supplemented with chromium tripicolinate. J Dairy Sci 81:2916–2923

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Evans GW, Bowman TD (1992) Chromium picolinate increases membrane fluidity and rate of insulin internalisation. J Inorg Biochem 48:243–250

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Khalili K, Foroozandeh AD, Toghyani M (2011) Lactation performance and serum biochemistry of dairy cows fed supplemental chromium in the transition period. Afri J Biotech 10:10304–10310

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Kafilzadeh F, Shabankareh HK, Targhibi MR (2012) Effect of chromium supplementation on productive and reproductive performances and some metabolic parameters in late gestation and early lactation of dairy cows. Biol Trace Elem Res 149:42–49

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Rikhari K, Tiwari DP, Kumar A (2012) Lactation performance and milk quality in crossbred cows fed chromium supplemented ration. Indian J Animal Sci 82:1551–1557

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. An-Qiang L, Zhi-Sheng W, An-Guo Z (2009) Effect of chromium picolinate supplementation on early lactation performance, rectal temperature, respiration rates and plasma biochemical response of Holstein cows under heat stress. Pak J Nut 8:940–945

    Google Scholar 

  33. Nikkhah A, Mirzaei M, Khorvash M, Rahmani HR, Ghorbani GR (2010) Chromium improves production and alters metabolism of early lactation cows in summer. J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr 95:81–89

    Google Scholar 

  34. Subiyatno A, Mowat DN, Yang WZ (1996) Metabolite and hormonal responses to glucose or propionate infusions in periparturient dairy cows supplemented with chromium. J Dairy Sci 79:1436–1445

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Pechova A, Podhorsk E, Lokajova L, Pavlata JI (2002) Metabolic effects of chromium supplementation in dairy cows in the peripartal period. Acta Vet Brno 71:9–11

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Bryan MA, Socha MT, Tomlinson DJ (2004) Supplementing intensively grazed late-gestation and early-lactation dairy cattle with chromium. J Dairy Sci 87:4269–4277

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Mc Carty MF (1993) Homologous phyiological effects of phenformin and chromium picolinate. Med Hypoth 41:316–324

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Bunting LD, Fernandez JM, Thompson DL, Southern LL (1994) Influence of chromium picolinate on glucose usage and metabolic criteria in growing Holstein calves. J Anim Sci 72:1591–1599

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Sahin K, Sahin N, Kucuk O (2002) Effects of dietary chromium picolinate supplementation on serum and tissue mineral contents of laying Japanese quails. J Trace Elem Exp Med 15:163–169

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. Onderci M, Sahin N, Sahin K, Kilic N (2003) Antioxidant properties of chromium and zinc: in vivo effects on digestibility, lipid peroxidation, antioxidant vitamins, and some minerals under a low ambient temperature. Biol Trace Elem Res 92:139–150

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. Kraidees MS, Al-Haidary IA, Mufarrej SI, Al-Saiady MY, Metwally HM, Hussein MF (2009) Effect of supplemental chromium levels on performance, digestibility and carcass characteristics of transport-stressed lambs. Asian Aust J Anim Sci 22:1124–1132

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  42. Britton RA, Mclaren GA, Jett DA (1968) Influence of cane molasses on NPN utilization and fiber digestibility (Abstract). J Anim Sci 27:1510

    Google Scholar 

  43. Kitchalong L, Fernandez JM, Bunting LD, Southern LL, Bidner TD (1995) Influence of chromium tripicolinate on glucose metabolism and nutrient partitioning in growing lambs. J Anim Sci 73:2694–2704

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  44. Haldar S, Mondal S, Samanta S, Ghosh TK (2009) Performance traits and metabolic responses in goats (Capra hircus) supplemented with inorganic trivalent chromium. Biol Trace Elem Res 131:110–123

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  45. Paul TK, Haldar S, Ghosh TK (2005) Growth performance and nutrient utilization in black Bengal bucks (Capra hircus) supplemented with graded doses of chromium as chromium chloride hexahydrate. J Vet Sci 6:33–40

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  46. Schrauzer GN, Shrestha KP, Molenaar TB, Meade S (1986) Effects of chromium supplementation on food energy utilization and the trace element composition in the liver and heart of glucose-exposed young mice. Biol Trace Elem Res 9:79–86

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  47. Amatya JL, Haldar S, Ghosh TK (2004) Effects of chromium supplementation from inorganic and organic sources on nutrient utilization, mineral metabolism and meat quality in broiler chickens exposed to natural heat stress. Anim Sci 79:241–253

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  48. Underwood EJ (1977) Chromium. In: Underwood EJ (ed) Trace elements in human and animal nutrition, 4th edn. Academic, New York, pp 258–270

    Google Scholar 

  49. Mertz W (1993) Chromium in human nutrition: A review. J Nutr 123:626–627

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  50. Lloyd KE, Fellner V, Mc Leod SJ, Fry RS, Krafka K, Lamptey A, Spear JW (2010) Effects of supplementing dairy cows with chromium propionate on milk and tissue chromium concentrations. J Dairy Sci 93:4774–4780

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  51. Mohamedshah FY, Moser-Veillon PB, Yamin IS, Douglass LW, Anderson RA, Veillon C (1998) Distribution of a stable isotope of chromium (53Cr) in serum, urine, and breast milk in lactating woman. Amer J Clin Nutr 67:1250–1255

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  52. Van Bruwaene R, Gerber GB, Kirchmann R, Colard J, Kerkom V (1984) Metabolism of 51Cr, 54Mn, 59Fe and 60Co in lactating dairy cows. Health Phys 46:1069–1082

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  53. Spears JW (1999) Reevaluation of the metabolic essentiality of the minerals: review. Asian Aust J Anim Sci 12:1002–100841

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  54. Soliman GZA (2005) Comparison of chemical and mineral content of milk from human, Cow, buffalo, camel and goat in Egypt. EJHM 21:116–130

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  55. Stahlhut HS, Whisnant CS, Lloyd KE, Baird EJ, Legleiter LR, Hansen SL, Spears JW (2006) Effect of chromium supplementation and copper status on glucose and lipid metabolism in Angus and Simmental beef cows. Anim Feed Sci Technol 128:253–265

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  56. Lien T, Chen S, Shiau S, Froman DP, Hu C (1996) Chromium picolinate reduces laying hen serum and egg cholesterol. Prof Anim Scientist 12:77–80

    Google Scholar 

  57. Gentry LR, Fernandez JM, Ward TL, White TW, Southern LL, Thompson DL, Horohov DW, Chapa AM, Sahlu T (1999) Dietary protein and chromium tripicolinate in Suffolk wether lambs: effects on production characteristics, metabolic and hormonal responses and immune status. J Anim Sci 77:1284–1294

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  58. Chang X, Mowat DN (1992) Supplemental chromium for stressed and growing feeder calves. J Anim Sci 70:559–565

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  59. Kegley EB, Galloway DL, Fakler TM (2000) Effect of dietary chromium-L methionine on glucose metabolism of beef steers. J Anim Sci 78:3177–3183

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  60. Evock-Clover CM, Polansky MM, Anderson RA, Steele NC (1993) Dietary chromium supplementation with or without somatotrophin treatment alters serum hormones and metabolites in growing pigs without affecting growth performance. J Nutr 123:1504–1560

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  61. Sumner JM, Valdez F, McNamara JP (2007) Effects of chromium propionate on response to an intravenous glucose tolerance test in growing Holstein heifers. J Dairy Sci 90:3467–3474

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  62. Blum JW, Kunz PL, Leuenberger H, Gautschi K, Keller M (1983) Thyroid hormones, blood plasma metabolites and haematological parameters in relationship to milk yield in dairy cows. Anim Prod 36:93–104

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  63. Kronfeld DS (1976) The potential importance of the proportions of glucogenic, lipogenic and aminogenic nutrients in regard to the health and productivity of dairy cows. Adv Anim Physiol Ani Nutr 7:5–10

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  64. Agustin F, Toharmat T, Evvyernie D, Taniwiryon D, Tarigan S (2012) Blood profile of lactating cows supplemented with organic chromium and Ganoderma lucidum. Pak J Nut 11:893–899

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  65. Yin RV, Phung OJ (2015) Effect of chromium supplementation on glycated hemoglobin and fasting plasma glucose in patients with diabetes mellitus. Nutr J 14:1475–2891

    Article  Google Scholar 

  66. Balk EM, Tatsioni A, Lichtenstein AH, Lau J, Pittas AG (2007) Effect of chromium supplementation on glucose metabolism and lipids. Diabetes Care 30:2154–2163

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  67. Racek J, Sindberg CD, Moesgaard S, Mainz J, Fabry J, Müller L, Rácová K (2013) Effect of chromium-enriched yeast on fasting plasma glucose, glycated haemoglobin and serum lipid levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus treated with insulin. Biol Trace Elem Res 155:1–4

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  68. Parsaeyan N, Mozaffari–Khosravi H (2012) Effect of chromium supplementation on blood glucose, hemoglobin A1c, lipid profile and lipid peroxidation in type 2 diabetic patients. Iranian J Diabetes Obesity 4:178–184

    Google Scholar 

  69. Bernabucci U, Ronchi B, Lacetera N, Nardone A (2005) Influence of body condition score on relationships between metabolic status and oxidative stress in periparturient dairy cows. J Dairy Sci 88:2017–2026

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  70. Sordillo LM, O’Boyle N, Gandy JC, Corl CM, Hamilton E (2007) Shifts in thioredoxin reductase activity and oxidant status in mononuclear cells obtained from transition dairy cattle. J Dairy Sci 90:1186–1192

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  71. Ibrahim AI, El-Ghannam AA, Shalaby, Abier A, Bahr, Hoda I (2011) The antioxidant effect of different doses of chromium chloride supplementation in rats. Suez Canal Vet Med J pp 1–6

  72. Seaborn CD, Stoecker BJ (1989) Effects of starch, sucrose, fructose and glucose on chromium absorption and tissue concentrations in obese and lean mice. J Nutr 119:1444–1451

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  73. Dlugosz A, Rembacz KP, Pruss A, Durlak M, Bogaczyk JL (2012) Influence of chromium on the natural antioxidant barrier. Pol J Envioron Stud 21:331–335

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  74. Mattagajasingh SN, Misra HP (1995) Alteration in the prooxidant and antioxidant status of human leukemic T-lymphocyte MOLT4 cells treated with potassium chromate. Mol Cell Biochem 142:61–70

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  75. Anne-Marie RAM, Hininger I, Benaraba RMS, Ziegenfuss TN, Anderson RA (2012) Antioxidant effects of a cinnamon extract in people with impaired fasting glucose that are overweight or obese. J Am Coll Nutr 28:16–21

    Google Scholar 

  76. Huang DJ, Ou BX, Prior RL (2005) The chemistry behind antioxidant capacity assays. J Agric Food Chem 51:1841–1856

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors express sincere thanks to the Director National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, India, for providing necessary facilities for this work. The authors wish to extend their sincere thank to Mr. Gyan Singh for his excellent assistance during the statistical analysis. The financial assistance for the research was provided by Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi, India.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Dhemaji, 787059, India

    Rijusmita Sarma Deka

  2. Dairy Cattle Nutrition Division, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, 132001, India

    Veena Mani & Zade Satish Shiwajirao

  3. Animal Nutrition Department, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, DUVASU, Mathura, 281001, India

    Muneendra Kumar

  4. Agricultural Extension Division, Krishi Anusandhan Bhawan-I, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi, 110012, India

    Harjit Kaur

Authors
  1. Rijusmita Sarma Deka
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Veena Mani
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Muneendra Kumar
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Zade Satish Shiwajirao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Harjit Kaur
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Muneendra Kumar.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Deka, R.S., Mani, V., Kumar, M. et al. Chromium Supplements in the Feed for Lactating Murrah Buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis): Influence on Nutrient Utilization, Lactation Performance, and Metabolic Responses. Biol Trace Elem Res 168, 362–371 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-015-0372-x

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-015-0372-x

Keywords

Search

Navigation