Influence of different sources of supplementary chromium on growth, immunity and liver function of buffalo calves

Different sources of chromium were used to assess the effect on the growth and immunity, and liver function of buffalo calves. A total of 21 Murrah buffalo calves with body weight (BW) of 82.66+1.73 kg were used in a 90 day trial. Calves were randomly allocated into 3 treatments. The treatments were as follows: 1) Control comprised of total mixed ration (TMR) without any supplementation; 2) CrC, TMR+ 1mg/kg DMI/day/calf chromium in the form of chromium chloride hexahydrate; 3) CrP, TMR+ 1mg/kg DMI/day/calf chromium in the form of chromium picolinate. Bodyweight, weight gain, and average daily gain showed significant (P<0.05) improvement with supplementation of chromium either as chromium chloride or chromium picolinate in the diet of calves. The feed: gain ratio was lower (P>0.05) in the both CrC and CrP groups. Dietary supplementation of chromium from different sources did not affect the total leukocyte, urea, glucose and alkaline phosphatase concentration in blood. An improvement (P<0.05) was detected in the circulating concentration of total immunoglobulin and lymphocyte% as result of supplementation of both chromium picolinate and chromium chloride. Plasma concentration of total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase were decreased with supplementation of chromium from both the sources. Dietary supplementation of chromium from both the sources exerted beneficial effects on the growth performance, immune status,and liver function, but the chromium picolinate supplementation was observed to be more beneficial.