Effect of chromium supplementation on rhythmic alterations in growth performance and nutrient utilization of growing cattle during heat stress

The present experiment was conducted to examine whether the supplementation of different organic Cr sources would improve the performance of heat-stressed calves. Twenty-four female Hariana calves were divided into four treatments (six calves per treatment): (1) calves fed on basal diet (0 mg Cr/kg DM); (2) calves fed on basal diet supplemented with 1.0 mg Cr/kg DM as Cr-picolinate (Cr-Pic); (3) calves fed on basal diet supplemented with 1.0 mg Cr/kg DM as Cr-polynicotinate (Cr-Polynic); and (4) calves fed on basal diet supplemented with 1.0 mg Cr/kg DM as Cr-yeast (Cr-Yeast). Supplementation of different sources of organic Cr did not alter the physiological response, feed utilization and growth performance of heat-stressed calves during 120-day experimental period. Nutrient digestibility and absorption of Cu, Fe and Mn were also found similar among the groups; however, utilization of Zn and Cr was higher (P< 0.05) in Cr-supplemented calves. This study suggests that the supplementation of different sources of Cr at 1.0 mg/kg DM improves the utilization of Zn and Cr (P< 0.05) in Cr-supplemented calves.