Effects of Chromium Propionate on Response to an Intravenous Glucose Tolerance Test in Growing Holstein Heifers1

To test the effect of chromium propionate on glucose utilization in growing dairy heifers, 0, 5, 10, or 15 mg of chromium/d were fed to 20 Holstein heifers of 11 to 14 mo of age, in a replicated Latin square. A 2-wk adaptation period was followed by 4 periods of 2 wk each with a 2-wk flush out period between treatments. Treatments were allotted to periods in a design balanced for potential carryover effects. Chromium propionate was fed in 0.25 kg/d of ground corn individually. After 14 d on each treatment, animals were fitted with an indwelling jugular catheter, and an intravenous glucose tolerance test was conducted the following morning. Body weights increased throughout the experiment, but weights and condition scores were unaffected by treatment. Chromium supplementation increased basal glucose and decreased basal insulin and nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) in serum in a dose-dependent, quadratic manner. Chromium increased glucose clearance rate as measured by half-life, time to nadir, and area under the curve. Over all periods, insulin concentrations tended to be lower in treated animals whereas clearance rates were unchanged. Serum NEFA levels were negatively correlated with glucose, such that treated animals with increased glucose had lower NEFA overall. There was an apparent long-term effect of chromium, because heifers in period 4 on the control diet had reduced insulin concentrations than those in the other control periods. Chromium propionate may increase glucose utilization in growing dairy heifers.