Effect of Chromium Supplementation on Productive and Reproductive Performances and Some Metabolic Parameters in Late Gestation and Early Lactation of Dairy Cows

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of supplemental chromium as chromium-l-methionine (Cr-Met) on productive and reproductive performances and some metabolic parameters in late gestation and early lactation of dairy cows. Sixty multiparous Holstein dairy cows according to prior lactation, parity, body mass (682 +/- 33 kg), and expected calving date were divided equally (30 cows/treatment) and were randomly allocated to one of the two groups. One group received basal diet without Cr (control group) and another group received Cr-Met supplement added at manufacturer's recommended level (8 mg of "Cr"/head per day) from 21 days before expected calving date until 21 days of lactation. Supplemental Cr tended to increase milk yield (P = 0.08) while percentage of lactose and lactose yield increased (P < 0.01). Chromium supplementation decreased serum nonesterified fatty acids concentration at 7 days prepartum and 21 days postpartum. Serum insulin concentration for cows receiving Cr was higher than the control group (P = 0.05). Serum cortisol concentration decreased (P < 0.05) in prepartum period in supplemented group. Chromium did not affect concentrations of metabolic parameters at calving. However, serum glucose concentration increased at 21 days postpartum in the supplemented group (P < 0.05). Chromium supplementation increased neutrophil and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio in prepartum period (P < 0.05). Based on serum concentrations of progesterone, days to first ovulation tended (P = 0.07) to occur earlier in the supplemented group. Furthermore, days to first service and days to first estrus of the supplemented group occurred earlier than the control group (P < 0.05) but days open, services per conception and conception rates at first insemination did not differ between two groups (P > 0.05). Percentage of cyclic cows at 36 days postpartum and estrous behavior before AI was higher in the supplemented group.