title: Effects of chromium propionate supplementation during the periparturient period and early lactation on metabolism, performance, and cytological endometritis in dairy cows.
abstract: Multiparous Holstein cows (n=61) were used to determine the effects of chromium propionate (Cr-Pro) supplementation during the periparturient period and early lactation on metabolism, performance, and the incidence of cytological endometritis (CE). After a 1-wk preliminary period, cows were assigned randomly to 1 of 2 treatments from 21 d before expected calving through 63 d postpartum: (1) control (n=31) and (2) Cr-Pro (n=30) administered by daily topdress at a rate of 8 mg/d of Cr. A tendency was detected for increased dry matter intake (DMI) during the prepartum period for cows fed Cr-Pro. Moreover, cows fed Cr-Pro tended to have lower plasma concentrations of nonesterified fatty acids during the prepartum period. However, effects of Cr-Pro supplementation on postpartum DMI and milk yield were not significant. Cows fed Cr-Pro tended to have higher urea N concentrations in milk. An interaction of treatment and day existed during the postpartum period, such that cows fed Cr-Pro had lower plasma glucose concentrations within the first day postpartum compared with controls. Plasma haptoglobin concentration was not affected by treatment during the postpartum period. Blood neutrophil glycogen concentrations were not affected by treatment when sampled at either 7 d postpartum or on one day between 40 and 60 d (48 d ± 0.44 standard error) postpartum. Evaluation of endometrial cytology by low volume lavage at 7 d postpartum (first lavage) and on one day between 40 and 60 d (second lavage) postpartum revealed that cows fed Cr-Pro tended to have a higher percentage of neutrophils at first lavage and decreased incidence of CE as assessed at second lavage. In conclusion, supplementation with Cr-Pro resulted in trends for increased DMI and lower plasma nonesterified fatty acids prepartum. Postpartum production and energy metabolism were not affected by treatment; however, Cr-Pro supplementation tended to affect the postpartum influx of neutrophils into the uterus and decreased the incidence of CE, suggesting positive effects of Cr-Pro supplementation on uterine health.
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yasui
authors.affiliation: Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853.
authors.forename: J A A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: McArt
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853.
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Ryan
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853.
authors.forename: R O
authors.initials: RO
authors.lastname: Gilbert
authors.affiliation: Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853.
authors.forename: D V
authors.initials: DV
authors.lastname: Nydam
authors.affiliation: Kemin Industries, Des Moines, IA 50317.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Valdez
authors.affiliation: Kemin Industries, Des Moines, IA 50317.
authors.forename: K E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Griswold
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853. Electronic address: tro2@cornell.edu.
authors.forename: T R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Overton
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle / Q000502:physiology*; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003612:Dairying; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004716:Endometritis / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary*; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D005230:Fatty Acids, Nonesterified / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D007774:Lactation; D008892:Milk / Q000378:metabolism*; D010298:Parity; D036801:Parturition; D058725:Peripartum Period; D049590:Postpartum Period; D011247:Pregnancy; D011422:Propionates / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D005230:Fatty Acids, Nonesterified; D011422:Propionates; C029658:propionic acid
keywords: chromium; cytological endometritis; transition cow