title: Performance traits and metabolic responses in goats (Capra hircus) supplemented with inorganic trivalent chromium.
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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, West Bengal University of Animal & Fishery Sciences, 37 Kshudiram Bose Sarani, Kolkata, India. sudipto.haldar@gmail.com
authors.forename: Sudipto
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Haldar
authors.forename: Souvik
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mondal
authors.forename: Saikat
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Samanta
authors.forename: Tapan Kumar
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Ghosh
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight / Q000502:physiology; D002857:Chromium / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006041:Goats; D008297:Male; D008660:Metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D014131:Trace Elements
chemical_list: D014131:Trace Elements; D002857:Chromium