Tissue accumulation and urinary excretion of Cr in chromium picolinate (CrPic)-supplemented lambs

The Impact of Fetal Programming in Ewe Nutrition with Chromium Propionate or Calcium Salts of Palm Oil on the Meat Quality and Bone of the Progeny

This study aimed to evaluate the inclusion of chromium propionate or calcium salts of palm oil in ewes' diet during the final third of gestation and lactation on progeny performance, carcass characteristics, non-carcass components, and bone density. Forty-three ewe, Santa Inês and Dorper breed, three ± one-year-old, and body weight 57 ± 10 kg were used. The experimental design was in casual blocks in three treatments, CTL treatment (n = 15) with starch from corn; CR (n = 15) diet CTL plus chromium propionate; PF (n = 13) diet CTL plus calcium salts of palm oil. After weaning, 23 male lambs from these ewes were confined in individual stalls, with the same diet for 60 days, slaughtered. The data were analyzed using the SAS program, PROC GLM, and compared the means using Tukey's test at 5% probability. The maternal diet did not alter the dry matter intake, feeding efficiency, and average daily weight gain. Therefore, weights (weaning and slaughter) and carcass yield were higher for CR and PF groups than for CTL (P < 0.05). The treatment did not influence the loin eye area and fat thickness (P > 0.05). The spleen and the respiratory tract were smaller for PF and larger for CTL (P < 0.05). Leg weight was higher for CR. The perimeter and depth of the shank for the CR and PF lambs were higher, indicating an effect of maternal nutrition in this commercial cut. The CR group had a smaller epiphysis measurement and femur length than the CTL group. We concluded that the fetal programming effect in ewes fed with Cr propionate and Ca salts of palm oil benefited the progeny by increasing their body weight, better carcass yield, and a higher proportion of prime cuts.

Long-term chromium picolinate supplementation improves colostrum profile of Santa Ines ewe

Chromium (Cr) is a micromineral that is involved in the metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids, ammonia, and nucleic acids; thus, its supplementation can influence the nutritional status of ruminants, and consequently, colostrum profile, since this secretion depends on products secreted by the mammary gland and elements of the maternal bloodstream. The present study investigated the influence of supplementation with Cr bound to organic molecule on the nutritional, immune, and antioxidant quality of ewe colostrum. Thirty-two multiparous Santa Ines ewes (55.3 ± 8.00 kg body weight) were randomly assigned into four groups: T1 (0.0 mg of chromium picolinate (CrPic) supplementation per ewe, n = 8), T2 (0.15 mg of CrPic per ewe, n = 9), T3 (0.30 mg of CrPic per ewe, n = 7), and T4 (0.45 mg of CrPic per ewe, n = 8). Supplementation was supplied during the breeding season, pregnancy, and lactation. Shortly after calving, the first milking colostrum was collected to determine its chemical composition, activity of lysozyme, lactoperoxidase, ceruloplasmin, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and oxygen radical absorbance capacity. The results show that lactoperoxidase activity decreased with CrPic supplementation (P < 0.01), revealing that this micromineral reduces an important component of defense mechanism in the body. Therefore, the results of this work show that supplementation with chromium picolinate influences colostrum quality.

The Combined Effects of Cr(III) Supplementation and Iron Deficiency on the Copper and Zinc Status in Wistar Rats

The aim of the study was to assess the combined effects of chromium(III) supplementation and iron deficiency on the copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) status in female rats. The Cr, Fe, Cu and Zn dietary and tissular levels were measured by Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS) method. The data show that chromium(III) supplementation compensated for the negative effects of Fe deficiency on the Cu content but it deepened the effect on Zn levels in the female rats. Detailed data on the status of trace elements and their interactions in healthy subjects and patients with metabolic disorders (e.g. anaemia, diabetes mellitus) are strongly required for effective nutritional and therapeutic strategies.

The Combined Effects of Iron Excess in the Diet and Chromium(III) Supplementation on the Iron and Chromium Status in Female Rats

Inadequate iron supply has significant consequences to health. There are some relations between the metabolism of different trace elements, such as iron, zinc, copper and chromium. However, the direction of these interactions can be antagonistic or synergistic, and it depends on many factors. The aim of the study was to evaluate the combined effects of supplementary of chromium(III) propionate complex (Cr3) with iron excess on the Cr and Fe status in healthy female rats. The 36 healthy female Wistar rats were divided into six experimental groups (six animals in each) with different Fe levels-adequate (45 mg kg^-1-100% RDA) and high (excessive-180 mg kg^-1-400% RDA). At the same time, they were supplemented with Cr(III) at doses of 1, 50 and 500 mg kg^-1 of diet: C1-control (Fe 45 mg kg^-1, Cr 1 mg kg^-1); C50 (Fe 45 mg kg^-1, Cr 50 mg kg^-1); C500 (Fe 45 mg kg^-1, Cr 500 mg kg^-1); H1 (Fe 180 mg kg^-1, Cr 1 mg kg^-1); H50 (Fe 180 mg kg^-1, Cr 50 mg kg^-1); H500 (Fe 180 mg kg^-1, Cr 500 mg kg^-1). The serum iron level and total iron binding capacity (TIBC) were measured with colorimetric methods. The serum ferritin level was measured by means of electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. The serum transferrin level was measured with the ELISA method. Haematological measurements were made with an automated blood analyser. The Cr and Fe tissular levels were measured with the AAS method. The exposure to a high level of Fe(III) alone or in combination with Cr caused Fe accumulation in tissues, especially in the liver and kidneys, but there were no significant changes in the TIBC, transferrin, ferritin concentration in the serum and most haematological parameters. Moreover, the serum, hepatic and renal Cr concentrations decreased. The doses of supplementary Cr(III) given separately or in combination with high level of Fe(III) disturbed the Cr content in the liver and kidneys of healthy female rats. However, they did not change most of the parameters of Fe metabolism, except the Fe kidney concentration. Supplementary Cr3 decreased the renal Fe level in groups with adequate Fe content in the diet. However, the renal Fe levels increased along with a higher Cr level in the diet in groups with high Fe content. The findings proved a relationship between Fe(III) and Cr(III) metabolism in healthy female rats. However, the direction of change varied and depended on relative amounts of these elements in the diet.

The combined effect of supplementary Cr(III) propionate complex and iron deficiency on the chromium and iron status in female rats

The aim of the study was to evaluate the combined effect of supplementary chromium(III) and iron deficiency on the chromium and iron status in female rats. The study was carried out on female Wistar rats, which were divided into 6 experimental groups with different Fe levels (deficient 10% RDA and recommended (adequate) 100% RDA). Simultaneously, for six weeks their diets were supplemented with Cr(III) at doses of 1, 50 and 500mgkg^-1. The tissular chromium and iron levels were measured with the AAS method. The serum iron and TIBC were measured with colorimetric methods The serum ferritin level was measured by means of electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. The serum transferrin level was measured with the ELISA method. The haematology was measured with an automated blood analyser. Supplementary Cr3 increased the Cr content in the tissues. This effect was weaker in the Fe-deficient groups than in those with the recommended Fe level, but it did not affect the Fe status. Fe deficiency significantly reduced the Fe content in the tissues. Simultaneously, Cr3 supplementation mitigated the symptoms of Fe deficiency. Fe deficiency increased TIBC and transferrin levels but reduced ferritin and most haematological parameters. However, simultaneous addition of high doses of Cr3 did not deepen these adverse changes. Our results show that the trend of changes in the Fe-Cr interaction depends on the content of these elements in the body.

Effects of Excess Cr3+ on Trace Element Contents in the Brain and Serum in Chicken

This study aimed to investigate the effects of chromic chloride (CrCl₃) on Ca, Mg, Mn, Fe, Cu, and Zn contents in the brain and serum of chicken. Seventy-two chickens were randomly divided into four groups and treated with different doses of CrCl₃ via drinking water: 0, 1/8, 1/4, and 1/2 LD₅₀ for 42 days. The contents of the elements were evaluated through inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Results showed that Cr contents in the brain and serum were higher than those in the control groups, although no significant dose-dependent changes (P > 0.05) in brain of the Cr-treated groups were observed at 42 days. As exposure time was prolonged and CrCl₃ dosage was increased, Ca contents increased (P < 0.05). Mg and Cu contents in serum decreased; by contrast, Mg and Cu contents initially increased and then decreased in the brain. Fe and Zn contents in the serum increased; conversely, Fe and Zn contents in the brain decreased. CrCl₃ exposure did not significantly affect Mn contents at 14 or 28 days, but significantly decreased (P < 0.05) at 42 days. Therefore, excess Cr³⁺ intake can disrupt absorption and deposition of other trace elements in the brain and serum; the blood-brain barrier may prevent the accumulation of these elements in the brain exposed to CrCl₃.