Effects of dietary chromium polynicotinate supplementation on performance, fat deposition and plasma lipids of broiler chickens

The present study was conducted to determine the effect of chromium polynicotinate supplementation on performance, fat deposition and plasma lipids of broiler chickens. A total of 540 male broiler chicks (Cobb 500) were allotted to 6 dietary treatments. The dietary chromium polynicotinate levels were 0 (Control), 250, 500, 750, 1000 or 1250 &mu;g/kg, respectively. At 10-28 days of age (grower phase), the 500 &mu;g/kg concentration of chromium polynicotinate supplementation had a beneficial effect on feed intake and body weight gain of broilers (P<0.05). At 29-42 days of age (finisher phase), feed conversion ratio was decreased (P<0.05) in broilers fed with chromium polynicotinate supplement at levels of 250, 750, 1000 or 1250 &mu;g/kg. Chromium polynicotinate did not affect the abdominal fat pad deposition. The results indicated that the 500 &mu;g/kg level of chromium polynicotinate supplement decreased the plasma cholesterol concentration in the finisher phases. The chromium concentrations of 1000 and 500 &mu;g/kg were more effective at grower and finisher phases, respectively (P<0.05). Plasma triglyceride was not affected by dietary chromium concentration. The results from this study suggest that supplementation of chromium polynicotinate improved growth performance and influenced blood cholesterol concentrations, but in this respect, there was not dose related effects