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Effect of Additional Chromium Supplementation on Health Status, Metabolic Responses, and Performance Traits in Periparturient Murrah Buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis)

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Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the effects of inorganic chromium (Cr) on body condition, metabolic responses, lactation performance, and reproductive parameters in periparturient Murrah buffaloes. Twenty-four multiparous advanced pregnant Murrah buffaloes were randomly assigned to four treatment diets. Feeding regimen was the same in all the groups, except that the animals in the four respective groups were additionally supplemented with 0.0, 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 mg of Cr/kg dry matter (DM) from day 60 prepartum to 150 days postpartum. Dry matter intake (DMI) and milk production were recorded every day, while body condition score (BCS) and whole blood samples were collected at days −60, −45, −30, −15, −7, −3, 0, 3, 7, 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, 120, and 150 relative to actual calving. As the days to calving advanced, DMI, plasma glucose, insulin, leptin, and Cr levels decreased (P < 0.05), and the levels were minimum on the day of calving. In contrast, the concentration of nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA) increased (P < 0.05) and was found to be highest at parturition. No change in DMI as well as BCS was observed due to dietary treatments. Supplementation of Cr improved plasma concentration of glucose, leptin, and Cr levels. However, the concentration of insulin decreased (P < 0.05) with the increased level of supplemental Cr. Milk yield (kg/day) was improved significantly (P < 0.05) in groups supplemented with 1.0 or 1.5 mg Cr/DM; however, only a small change was recorded in the group fed 0.5 mg Cr/kg DM. Fat-corrected milk and energy-corrected milk were 28.78 and 42.32 % and 28.76 and 41.68 % higher in the 1.0 and 1.5 mg Cr/DM groups, respectively. Dietary Cr supplementation during the peripartum period had beneficial effects on the reproductive performance of buffaloes. These results could be interpreted as an improvement in the body condition, metabolic response, milk yield, efficiency of milk production and nutrient utilization, and reproductive performance of peripartum Murrah buffaloes.

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Acknowledgments

The financial assistance for the research work was provided by the National Initiative on Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA) project of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Dhemaji, Assam, India

    Rijusmita Sarma Deka

  2. Dairy Cattle Nutrition Division, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, India

    Veena Mani & Shiwajirao Satish Zade

  3. Animal Nutrition Department, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, DUVASU, Mathura, India

    Muneendra Kumar

  4. Dairy Cattle Physiology Division, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, India

    Ramesh Chand Upadhaya

  5. Agricultural Extension Division, Krishi Anusandhan Bhavan-I, Pusa, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi, India

    Harjit Kaur

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  1. Rijusmita Sarma Deka
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Correspondence to Muneendra Kumar.

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Deka, R.S., Mani, V., Kumar, M. et al. Effect of Additional Chromium Supplementation on Health Status, Metabolic Responses, and Performance Traits in Periparturient Murrah Buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis). Biol Trace Elem Res 163, 132–143 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-014-0173-7

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