The biological role of chromium is the rationale, experience and prospects of its application to cattle

Abstract

The biological effect of chromium on the body of farm animals is primarily due to the chemical form of the compound and the duration of use. Chromium is one of the most important ultramicroelements, but its essential role in the body was experimentally proven only in the second half of the 20th century. The kinetic inertness of the ions of three-valence chromium does not allow the element to be involved in many biochemical reactions, at the same time, this effect ensures the prolongation of specific cellular processes associated with the entry of glucose into the cell. Among the most commonly used feed additives are: ultrafine or nanoparticles of trivalent chromium oxide, picolinate, acetate or propionate of chromium, complex compounds of amino acids with chromium. The issues of regulating their use depend on the specific country and the requirements for the maximum permissible concentrations of chromium content in feed and agricultural products obtained, as well as on the regulatory legislative framework. Numerous experimental data on the effects of chromium deficiency indicate the development of glucose tolerance, a decrease in the rate of its cellular utilization and a slowdown in energy metabolism. The effects observed when additional sources of chromium are introduced into the diet of cattle are expressed in increasing the digestibility of dry matter, acting on the activity of digestive enzymes, stimulating the species diversity of the rumen microbiota, increasing milk yield, etc. The experimental data obtained and the results of the meta-analysis confirm a significant increase in the productivity of dairy cows with the introduction of chromium supplements into the diet, which is an important achievement in the practice of dairy farming. Most of the work described in this review was carried out abroad, which requires intensification in Russia of both experimental research and work on correlation and regression analysis of the relationship between chromium supplements and productivity indicators of dairy cows.