Comparison of the effect of organic, inorganic and nano-chromium supplements on growth performance and blood parameters of Mehraban fattening lambs

Abstract

Introduction: This study was performed to evaluate and compare three types of chromium
supplements, including: organic, inorganic and nano-chromium on some blood parameters as
well as growth performance.
Materials & Methods: 24 Mehraban male lambs (3-4 months old with an average weight of
30.85±1.78 kg) in a completely randomized design, using four treatments (each treatment
contains six repetitions) were used for 60 days. Experimental treatments were included: 1)
control group (basic diet) 2) control group + 0.8 mg inorganic chromium 3) control group + 0.8
mg organic chromium 4) control group + 0.8 mg was nano chrome supplement.
Result: The use of organic chromium (treatment 3) compared to the control group caused a
significant increase in the final weight of lambs (p<0.05), and all three treatments containing
chromium increased daily weight and decreased feed conversion ratio. Treatment 4,
significantly reduced the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) when compared to other treatments
(p<0.05). All three chromium-containing treatments significantly reduced the amount of
malondialdehyde (MDA) and the serum concentration of cholesterol (p<0.05) but did not affect
on the increase in glutathione peroxidase (GSH-px) activity compared to the control group
(p>0.05). Treatments 3 and 4 had a significant effect on serum glucose concentration compared
to the control group (p<0.05).
Conclusion: Organic and nano-organic chromium supplements improved the lambs
performance, increased total antioxidant capacity and reduced free radicals.