Role of inorganic chromium in modulating performance and immunity in broilers [electronic resource]

Includes bibliographic reference

A 6-weeks study was conducted to investigate the
effect of clietary supplementation of inorganic;
chromium as chromium chloride on performance
and immunity of broilers. A total of 270, day-old
Hubbard broiler chicks were divided into three
dietary groups in a 3X3 factorial design. The first
group was fed on a basal control diet (Control
group). The second group was fed on the basal
diet suppl'emented with 20 ppm chromium chloride.
While the third group was fed on the basal
control diet supplemented with 40 ppm chromium
chloride. Results indicated that there was ahighly
significant (P<O.O1) improvement in all chromi~
um supplemented groups (20 and 40 ppm)
throughout the experimental period regarding
body weight development. However, statistical
analysis revealed non-significant differences be-
tween 20 and 40 ppm chromium supplementation.
Chromium also improved weight gain, reduced
feed intake and improved feed conversion.Results
of lymphocyte blastogenesis in chickens revealed
that 20 ppm chromium supplementation
significantly (P<0.05) increased the stimulation
index 21, 28 and 35 days from the beginning of
the study while the stimulating effect of 40 ppm
chromium supplementation significantly (P<0.05)
increased the stimulation index earlier at 14 days.