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Received: 13 February 2020    Revised: 17 May 2020    Accepted: 7 June 2020

DOI: 10.1111/asj.13448

ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Effects of different sources and levels of dietary chromium

supplementation on performance of broiler chicks

Assem Mohamed Safwat1  | Asmaa Shawkey Elnaggar2  | Osama Ahmed Elghalid1  |

Waleed Salah EL-Tahawy2

1
Poultry Production Department, Faculty
of Agriculture (El-Shatby), Alexandria
University, Alexandria, Egypt
2
Animal and Poultry Production
Department, Faculty of Agriculture,
Damanhour University, Damanhour, Egypt
Correspondence
Assem Mohamed Safwat, Poultry
Production Department, Faculty of
Agriculture (El-Shatby), Alexandria
University, 21545 Alexandria, Egypt.
Email: assemsafwat2004@yahoo.com
Abstract
The current experiment was carried out to evaluate the effect of different dietary
chromium supplementation sources, chromium oxide (Cr2O3), chromium methionine
(Cr-Met), or chromium yeast (Cr-yeast), at different levels each (500 or 1,000 ppb)
on growth performance, physiological traits, and carcass characteristics of broiler
chicks. A total of 490 seven-day-old Arbor Acres chicks were randomly distributed
into 7 experimental groups each in 10 replicates of 7 birds each. The groups were con-
trol, 500 ppb Cr2O3, 1,000 ppb Cr2O3, 500 ppb Cr-Met, 1,000 ppb Cr-Met, 500 ppb
Cr-yeast, and 1,000 ppb Cr-yeast. The results showed significant superiority of the
organic chromium sources (Cr-Met or Cr-yeast) concerning body weight and weight
gain, the group supplemented with 1,000 ppb Cr-yeast consumed the lowest feed
(3,185 g) and had the best feed conversion ratio (1.60) compared to the control (1.73).
The chromium treatments recorded significantly better protein and lipid profile, an-
tioxidant status, and immunological parameters than the control group. Similarly, di-
etary chromium supplementation increased carcass yield and decreased intestinal
pathogenic bacteria. In conclusion, supplementing broiler diets with organic chro-
mium sources at 1,000 ppb promotes growth performance, physiological traits, and
carcass characteristics; such chromium treatments enhanced the antioxidant status
and immunity levels of broilers.

KEYWORDS

antioxidant status, broilers, chromium, growth performance, physiological parameters

1 |  I NTRO D U C TI O N Poultry commercial diets are conventionally composed of plant

Micronutrients as trace minerals play an important role in various
metabolic, enzymatic, and biochemical reactions ultimately leading
to better growth rate, egg production, and feed efficiency of poul-
try (Kheiri & Toghyani, 2009). Chromium (Cr) is generally recognized
to be the active component in glucose tolerance factor (GTF), which
increases the sensitivity of tissue receptors to insulin, resulting in in-
creased glucose uptake by cells (Mertz, 1993). The insulin hormone
increases the glucose and amino acid uptake into muscle cells that reg-
ulate protein, energy and fat metabolism, deposition of muscle tissue,
and cholesterol utilization (Moeini, Bahrami, Ghazi, & Targhibi, 2011).
origin ingredients (basically corn–soya diets) which are unlikely to
meet the Cr requirements of growing broilers (Spears, 1999), so
available source of Cr with an adequate level should be supple-
mented in poultry diets. Therefore, there is a need to evaluate the
bioavailability of different chromium forms (organic vs. inorganic
form) for broiler chickens.
Trivalent Cr (+3) is found either in inorganic form of the element
(chromium oxide, chromium chloride) or in organic compounds
such as chromium methionine, chromium picolinate, nicotinate,
and high-Cr yeast (Sahin et al., 2017). Although the mineral form
(chromium chloride) is the most important form commercially

Anim Sci J. 2020;91:e13448. wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/asj |

© 2020 Japanese Society of Animal Science     1 of 9
https://doi.org/10.1111/asj.13448
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2 of 9       SAFWAT et al.

used in poultry feed formulations as a dietary supplement, it is TA B L E 1   Composition and calculated analysis of experimental
poorly absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract of birds. Such poor diets fed to broiler chicks from 8 to 35 days of age

absorbability accompanied with the inorganic chromium form is Growing diet

regarding to its ability for binding to natural-chelating compounds Starter diet (22–35 days of
in some feedstuffs (such as phytate), the formation of insoluble (8–21 days of age) age)

chromic salts, as well as the interference by ionic forms of other Ingredients (%)
minerals (Beits & Horst, 1997). On the other hand, organic com- Yellow Corn 57.60 61.00
plexes of Cr are absorbed more efficiently, about 10%–25% more Soybean Meal (48%) 29.50 26.00
than inorganic or mineral compounds (Haq et al., 2016). For in- Corn gluten meal 5.20 6.00
stance, chromium-methionine has the ability to cross the intestinal (60%)
cell membrane directly without any prior digestion; since it was Soy oil 1.10 2.70
chelated with amino acid. Full fat soya bean 2.00 0.00
Despite the published researches related to chromium sup- Mono calcium 1.50 1.65
plementation of broiler diets (Ebrahimzadeh, Farhoomand, & Phosphate
Noori, 2013; Rajalekshmi, Sugumar, Chirakkal, & Ramarao, 2014; Lime stone 1.90 1.50
Uyanik, Atasever, Ozdamar, & Aydin, 2002), there is still a lack of Cholin chloride 0.10 0.10
integrated study to compare the biological efficacy, in terms of nu-
Sodium Bicarbonate 0.20 0.20
tritional, physiological, and immunological influence, of a group of
Salt (NaCl) 0.20 0.20
various chromium sources including organic and inorganic sources.
DL–methionine 0.10 0.10
Therefore, the objective of the present study was to investigate
L-lysine 0.30 0.25
the effects of dietary chromium supplementation of inorganic chro-
a
Broiler Premix   0.30 0.30
mium source (chromium oxide) vs. organic chromium sources (chro-
mium methionine or chromium yeast) at different levels each (500 or Total % 100 100

1,000 ppb) on growth performance, carcass traits, and some physio- Calculated analysis (% on DM basis)

logical parameters of broiler chicks. Crude Protein 22.9 21.4

b
ME (kcal/kg)   3,042 3,147
Ether extract 4.10 4.40
2 |  M ATE R I A L S A N D M E TH O DS Calcium 1.05 0.90
Available phosphorus 0.51 0.43
2.1 | Study site Methionine 0.50 0.46
Lysine 1.40 1.23
The study was conducted at the Poultry Research unit, Damanhour
Methionine + Cystine 0.98 0.89
University, Damanhour, Egypt, during the period of April to May, 2017.
a
Each kg premix contains: vit. A (12 I.U.), vit. D3 (5 I.U.), vit. E (75 I.U.),
vit. K menadione (2 mg), vit. B1 (2 mg), vit. B2 (6 mg), vit. B6 (4 mg),
vit. B12 (0.016 mg), Pantathenic acid (13 mg), Nicotinic acid (55 mg),
2.2 | Birds, treatments, and experimental design Folic acid (2 mg), Biotin (0.2 mg), Copper (16 mg), Iodine (1.25 mg), Iron
(40 mg), Manganese (120 mg), Zinc (100 mg), and Selenium (0.3 mg).
b
Four hundred and ninety unsexed 8-day-old Arbor Acres broiler ME, metabolizable energy.
chicks were randomly distributed into seven groups, each in 10
replicates of 7 chicks per replicate and reared on similar managerial protein and 3,042 kcal/kg, 21.4% crude protein and 3,147 kcal/kg
conditions. The chicks were fed the same basal diet and were sub- during the starter and grower periods, respectively, as shown in
jected to the following dietary treatments: the first group was fed a Table 1.
commercial broiler basal diet without any supplementation (control),
while the other groups were fed basal diet supplemented with differ-
ent sources of chromium. The second and third groups were fed the 2.3 | Housing and husbandry
same basal diet supplemented with 500 and 1,000 ppb chromium
oxide (Cr2O3), respectively; the fourth and fifth groups were fed the Chicks were housed in battery brooders in semi-opened house
basal diet supplemented with 500 and 1,000 ppb chromium me- equipped with two exhaust fans to keep normal ventilation. Chicks
thionine (Cr-Met), respectively; the sixth and seventh groups were were fed ad libitum and given free access to water during the whole
fed the basal diet supplemented with 500 and 1,000 ppb chromium experimental period. A light schedule similar to commercial con-
yeast (Cr-yeast), respectively. dition was provided, as 23 hr of light from 1 to 7 days followed
The experimental diets were formulated according to the breed by 20 hr of light from 8 to 35 days of age. The average outdoor
management guide. Chicks were fed basal diet with 22.9% crude minimum and maximum temperature and relative humidity during
SAFWAT et al.
the experimental period were 21 and 15°C and 68.7%, respectively.
The brooding temperature (indoor) was declined gradually from 32,
30, 27, and 24–21°C during 1–7, 8–14, 15–20, and 21–35 days of
age.
2.4 | Performance traits
Individual live body weight (LBW), body weight gain (BWG), feed
consumption (FC), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were deter-
mined weekly and calculated throughout the experimental period
(2–5 weeks of age) for experimental groups.
2.5 | Blood collection and hemato-
biochemical analyses
At the end of the experimental period (35 days of age), 10 fasted
birds from each treatment (a bird per replicate) were randomly se-
lected for slaughter. Blood samples, about 3 ml, were collected
before slaughter from the wing vein for hemato-biochemical
analysis. Heparin was used as anticoagulation, however, a part
of samples were kept without heparin to obtain serum. Non-
coagulated blood was divided into two parts. The first part was
used shortly after collection for estimating complete blood count,
where the second part was used to obtain plasma after separa-
tion. Plasma or serum was separated by centrifuging the blood
at 3,000  rpm for 20  min, and then stored at −20°C for further
analysis. Red blood cells count (RBC 10 6/ml), white blood cells
3
count (WBC 10 /ml), and the differential count were determined
according to Feldman, Zinkl, and Jain (2000). Hemoglobin (Hb)
concentration was measured according to Provan, Singer, Baglin,
and Lilleyman (2004). The percentage of packed cells volume (PCV
%) was measured according to Drew, Charles, Trevor, and John
(2004). Serum total protein, albumin, total lipids, triglyceride, cho-
lesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein
(HDL), glucose, total tri-iodothyronine (T3), calcium and inorganic
phosphorus concentrations, Aspartate transaminase (AST) and
alanine transaminase (ALT) determinations, Creatinine, activi-
ties of malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC),
Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) concentration, and immunoglobulin
(Ig) fractions were determined using specific kits obtained from
sentinel CH Milano, Italy, CAL-TECH Diagnostics, Inc., Chino, CA,
USA, by means of spectrophotometer (Beckman DU-530, Hanau,
Germany), Diagnostic Products Corporation, Los Angeles, USA, or
Reactivos GPL, Barcelona, Spain, according to kits manufacturers
recommendations.
2.6 | Slaughter traits
At the end of the experimental period (35 days of age), the 10
selected birds were fasted for overnight before slaughter and
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were individually weighed as pre-slaughter weight. After scald-
ing, feather picking, and evisceration carcass, organs (liver, giz-
zard, heart, spleen, bursa, thymus gland) and abdominal fat were
separately weighed. Percentage of empty carcass and organs was
calculated based on the pre-slaughter weight. All the experimen-
tal procedures employed were ethically reviewed and approved
by Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) of
Alexandria University.
2.7 | Bacterial count
During slaughtering procedures, four birds from each treatment
were selected for the collection of cecal content samples. Then,
samples were analyzed for total bacterial count (TBC), Salmonella
and Escherichia coli as colony-forming unit (CFU) using modified
methods described by Baurhoo, Phillip, and Ruiz-Feria (2007), which
differed only in agars used.
2.8 | Statistical analysis
Data were analyzed using the general linear model (GLM) option of
the ANOVA software of SAS 9.2 program (SAS Institute). Percentage
data of the studied traits were transformed to arc sine or square
root, as well as bacterial numbers were converted using Log trans-
formation before statistical analysis. Data were then subjected to
analysis of variance using the general linear model (GLM) procedure.
Tukey-Kramer multiple comparisons test was applied to detect the
significance among different treatment means. Treatment effects
were considered significant at p  ≤  .05. The following statistical
model was used:
Y𝑖𝑗 = 𝜇 + Ti + E𝑖𝑗 ,
where: Yij = the observation value of trait, μ = the overall mean, Ti = the
treatment effect, and Eij = the random error.
3 | R E S U LT S
3.1 | Performance traits
The results of the performance parameters of the broiler chicks
fed the experimental diets are shown in Table 2. All experimental
chicks had nearly a similar initial live body weight (180 ± 6 g on
average). Birds supplemented with Cr-yeast at both levels (500 and
1,000 ppb) as well as those fed the higher level (1,000 ppb) of Cr-
Met recorded higher (p ˂ .05) final body weight (FBW) and BWG
in comparison to the other treated groups. The group fed higher
level (1,000 ppb) of Cr-yeast consumed the lowest amount of feed
(p = .0002) compared to the other experimental groups, while the
control group consumed significantly the highest amount of feed.
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TA B L E 2   Production performance of broiler chicks supplemented with different sources and levels of dietary chromium

Chromium oxide Chromium methionine Chromium yeast

Items Control 500 ppb 1,000 ppb 500 ppb 1,000 ppb 500 ppb 1,000 ppb p-Value SEM

Initial body weight (g) 181 179 180 179 179 181 180 0.1488 0.918
c bc abc abc ab ab a
Final body weight (g) 2,103 2,123 2,147 2,139 2,163 2,155 2,171 0.0007 11.76
Body weight gain (g/ 1,922c 1,944bc 1,967abc 1,961abc 1,983ab 1,974ab 1,992a 0.0002 10.99
bird)
Feed consumption (g/ 3,329a 3,283ab 3,280ab 3,237abc 3,227bc 3,205bc 3,185c 0.0002 23.27
bird)
Feed conversion ratio 1.73a 1.69b 1.67b 1.65c 1.63c 1.62cd 1.60 d 0.0001 0.007
(g feed:g gain)

Note: Means within the same row with different letters are significantly different (p < .05).
Abbreviations: P, probability; SEM, standard error of mean.

TA B L E 3   Hematological traits for broiler chicks supplemented with different sources and levels of dietary chromium

Chromium oxide Chromium methionine Chromium yeast

Items Control 500 ppb 1,000 ppb 500 ppb 1,000 ppb 500 ppb 1,000 ppb p-Value SEM

RBC (106/mm3) 2.09b 3.05a 3.02a 2.90a 2.97a 2.87ab 2.49ab 0.0058 0.084
b a a a a a a
Hemoglobin 9.88 12.5 11.8 11.7 12.9 13.0 12.1 0.0001 0.194
(g/100 ml)
PCV % 27.7b 34.6ab 34.4ab 37.47a 35.75a 35.2a 33.2ab 0.0096 0.771
3 3 c ab a ab b a ab
WBC (10 /mm ) 9.53 12.0 13.7 12.8 10.9 14.0 12.1 0.0011 0.351
Lymphocytes (%) 43.7b 60.2a 56.7a 61.5a 61.5a 59.2a 58.2a 0.0001 0.304
Heterophils (%) 29.2 32.7 35.2 32.7 32.0 32.5 35.0 0.5098 0.793
Monocytes (%) 6.00 4.50 4.75 6.50 5.00 6.25 5.00 0.053 0.987

Note: Means within the same row with different letters are significantly different (p < .05).
Abbreviations: p, probability; PCV, packed cells volume; RBC, red blood cells count; SEM, standard error of mean; WBC, white blood cells count.

Regarding the FCR, birds supplemented with the higher level of Cr-
yeast had significantly (p = .0001) the best FCR (by 7.5% improve-
ment than the control group) without any significant difference
than the low level of the same source (by 6.4% improvement than
the control group), while the control group had the worst value of
FCR among the experimental groups. The chromium-methionine
treatments had significantly better values of FCR than the inor-
ganic treatments (chromium oxide), although both sources were
still better than the control group by around 5.2 and 2.9% on the
average, respectively.
3.3 | Blood biochemical constituents
3.3.1 | Protein profile
The results of blood biochemical parameters (Table 4) revealed that
chromium supplementation increased (p  ˂  .05) the values of total
protein and globulin compared to the control group. The same trend
was observed for albumin but without significance.
3.3.2 | Lipid profile

3.2 | Hematological characteristics
Results in Table 3 showed that all supplemented chromium treat-
ments increased significantly the hematological parameters includ-
ing RBC count, Hb concentration, PCV, WBC count, and lymphocytes
in comparison to the control group. But there was no significant ef-
fect (p  ˃  .05) of chromium supplementation on the percentage of
either heterophils or monocytes.
It was observed that the group supplemented with 500 ppb Cr2O3
had significantly the lowest value of total lipid (being 36% lower than
the control group) followed by the other chromium treatments, while
the control group recorded the highest total lipid value. Similarly,
chromium supplementation significantly decreased cholesterol, tri-
glyceride, and LDL values compared to the control group. On the
other hand, the HDL values increased (p ˂ .05) in all chromium treat-
ments in comparison to the control group.
 SAFWAT et al.

TA B L E 4   Biochemical constituents of blood serum for broiler chicks supplemented with different sources and levels of dietary chromium

Chromium oxide Chromium methionine Chromium yeast

Items Control 500 ppb 1,000 ppb 500 ppb 1,000 ppb 500 ppb 1,000 ppb p-Value SEM
b ab ab a ab a ab
Total protein (g/dl) 3.71 4.09 4.31 4.62 4.28 4.46 4.27 0.0135 0.073
Albumin (g/dl) 2.34 2.42 2.33 2.79 2.56 2.49 2.36 0.2544 0.054
Globulin (g/dl) 1.37b 1.67ab 1.98a 1.83a 1.72ab 1.97a 1.90a 0.0003 0.046
a b ab ab ab ab
Total Lipid (mg/dl) 321 204 249 241 270 281 309a 0.0022 12.3
Triglycerides (mg/dl) 99.2a 51.2bc 67.2b 52.0 bc 48.2c 58.2bc 65.2bc 0.0001 3.40
Cholesterol (mg/dl) 139.7a 99.7b 101.7b 91.0 b 97.0 b 97.7b 95.2b 0.0006 3.65
b a a a a a a
HDL (mg/dl) 41.8 66.4 64.4 63.5 61.0 60.1 62.2 0.0062 1.97
LDL (mg/dl) 48.2a 33.8b 28.5b 38.6b 35.7b 33.5b 34.4b 0.0239 2.01
Glucose (mg/dl) 183d 196bc 193c 207abc 231a 225a 224ab 0.0001 1.69
T3 (ng/ml) 3.02c 3.50 b 3.45b 3.85a 3.95a 3.92a 3.97a 0.0001 0.068
Calcium (mg/dl) 8.30 b 10.8a 10.3a 11.8a 10.7a 11.8a 11.1a 0.0262 0.317
Phosphorus (mg/dl) 4.35c 5.56ab 6.30a 5.32b 5.82a 5.12b 5.47ab 0.0112 0.149
a b ab ab ab ab ab
AST (U/L) 49.7 43.7 48.1 44.2 46.5 44.7 45.3 0.0465 1.51
ALT (U/L) 18.9a 13.0 b 12.2b 13.3b 11.4b 10.8b 12.6b 0.0002 0.581
Creatinine (mg/dl) 0.950a 0.575bc 0.525c 0.650 bc 0.725b 0.650 bc 0.600 bc 0.0001 0.029
Alkaline phosphatase 300 b 325a 332a 329a 329a 322a 330a 0.0309 1.77
(mg/dl)
TAC (mg/dl) 1.19b 1.99a 1.86a 2.04a 2.09a 2.03a 2.10a 0.0001 0.061
a b b b c b
MDA (mg/dl) 139 131 130 132 123 130 124c 0.0004 1.16
b ab ab a a a a
IgG (mg/100 ml) 40.4 56.5 58.4 74.9 67.9 61.8 65.5 0.0003 1.36
IgM (mg/100 ml) 54.2b 73.1ab 72.2ab 88.3a 87.3a 83.1a 74.1ab 0.0203 1.69

Note: Means within the same row with different letters are significantly different (p < .05).
Abbreviations: p, probability; SEM, standard error of mean.
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3.3.3 | Glucose, T3, calcium, and phosphorus
The group supplemented with 1,000 ppb Cr-Met along with both
Cr-yeast groups had significantly the highest glucose values, while
the control group had the lowest value. Concerning T3, nearly the
same trend was obtained. In this regard, Cr-Met and Cr-yeast treat-
ments had the highest T3 values, and Cr2O3 groups had intermedi-
ate values, while the control group recorded the lowest T3 value.
Regarding calcium and phosphorus concentrations, all chromium
treatments were significantly higher than the control group.
3.3.4 | Liver and Kidney function
It was observed that chromium supplementation treatments de-
creased significantly the values of ALT and creatinine compared to the
control group. The alkaline phosphatase enzyme increased (p = .016)
in all chromium treatments compared with the control group.
treatments than the control group, with markedly improved values
(p ˂ .05) recorded for the organic chromium treatments.
3.4 | Carcass characteristics
The results of relative weights of carcass and body organs (Table 5)
revealed that dressing percentage increased (p  = .003) in the sup-
plemented chromium groups in comparison to the control group.
Contrarily, the experimental groups supplemented with different
chromium treatments had lower abdominal fat (%) than the control
group with markedly reduction for the high dose of organic sources
(Cr-Met and Cr-yeast). Concerning the immune organs, it was ob-
served that all supplemented chromium groups had higher percent-
age of thymus and bursa weight (p ˂ .05) compared to the control
group, however, there was no significant difference among the ex-
perimental groups regarding spleen weight (%).

3.3.5 | Antioxidant status
Data in Table 4 revealed that all groups supplemented with dietary
chromium sources recorded the highest values of TAC, but the con-
trol group had the lowest value. MDA decreased in all chromium
treatments compared to the control group; the decrease was mark-
edly obvious in the high level (1,000 ppb) of the organic chromium
sources (Cr-Met and Cr-yeast).
3.5 | Bacterial count
Data for intestinal bacterial count are shown in Table 6. All the sup-
plemented chromium treatments decreased (p = .0001) the intesti-
nal bacterial count than the control group; either in terms of TBC or
the pathogenic bacteria species (Salmonella and E. coli).
4 | D I S CU S S I O N

The observed improvement in BW, BWG, and FCR associated with

3.3.6 | Immunological parameters chromium treatments may be related to the role of chromium as
an active component in the GTF which increases glucose uptake
Data regarding IgG and IgM are shown in Table 4. The concentra- by cells. The high uptake level of glucose should be simultaneous
tions of IgG and IgM were higher for all chromium supplementation with higher cellular oxidation rate, otherwise it will be converted

TA B L E 5   Carcass characteristics and relative weight of immune organs for broiler chicks supplemented with different sources and levels
of dietary chromium

Chromium oxide Chromium methionine Chromium yeast

Items Control 500 ppb 1,000 ppb 500 ppb 1,000 ppb 500 ppb 1,000 ppb p–value SEM

Carcass characteristics
Dressing (%) 54.4b 61.1a 59.8a 59.9a 59.2a 62.2a 60.2a 0.003 0.525
Liver (%) 1.706 1.673 1.683 1.649 1.674 1.648 1.647 0.7593 0.158
Gizzard (%) 1.171 1.073 1.068 1.130 1.134 1.071 1.083 0.5091 0.138
Heart (%) 0.724 0.774 0.742 0.774 0.722 0.765 0.723 0.07362 0.121
a ab ab ab b ab b
Abdominal fat (%) 0.954 0.773 0.751 0.712 0.585 0.717 0.627 0.0002 0.023
Immune organs
Spleen% 0.394 0.392 0.406 0.402 0.434 0.374 0.395 0.3702 0.072
Thymus% 0.500 b 0.559a 0.601a 0.545a 0.595a 0.536a 0.578a 0.0337 0.124
b a a a a a a
Bursa% 0.251 0.300 0.312 0.300 0.300 0.300 0.300 0.0459 0.031

Note: Means within the same row with different letters are significantly different (p < .05).
Abbreviations: p, probability; SEM, standard error of mean.
SAFWAT et al.
TA B L E 6   Bacterial count (no. × 106) for broiler chicks supplemented with different sources and levels of dietary chromium
Chromium oxide Chromium methionine
Items Control 500 ppb 1,000 ppb 500 ppb
a b b b
TBC 3.20 2.35 2.47 2.45
a bc b bc
Salmonella 1.15 0.700 0.850 0.750
Escherichia coli 1.35a 0.900 b 0.850 b 0.850 b
Note: Means within the same row with different letters are significantly different (p < .05).
Abbreviations: p, probability; SEM, standard error of mean; TBC, total bacterial count.
into fat and stored as triglycerides or neutral lipids in the adipose
tissues (Ghazi, Habibian, Moeini, & Abdolmohammadi, 2012). On
the other side, supplementation of chromium improves the amino
acid uptake by tissues, which increases the protein syntheses in
muscle cells. By this way the increased glucose level in cells as
influenced by insulin is synchronized with the amino acid uptake
resulting into building more muscles and accordingly improves BW
(Anderson, 1994). Additionally, Karam, Nagla, El-Medany, and El-
Wardany (2007) related the improvement in chicken performance
to the role of chromium in stimulating the secretion of digestive
enzymes which increases nutrients absorption and utilization. The
improved nutrients absorption could explain the observed de-
crease in feed intake in chromium treatment groups when com-
pared to the control group (especially with the organic chromium
sources). The superiority of the organic treatments (Cr-Met and
Cr-yeast) to the inorganic chromium form (Cr 2O3) is related to the
fact that organic sources of chromium are stable complex struc-
tures providing higher absorbability and bioavailability in the range
10%–25% compared to 0.5%–2% observed for the inorganic forms
(Haq et al., 2016).
Similar positive results for chromium supplementation effect
on broiler performance were reported in previous studies; supple-
menting different sources of chromium Cr-L-Met, Cr-Yeast, Cr-Pic,
or CrCl3 at the range 200–1,200 µg/kg resulted in an improvement
in BW, BWG, and FCR of broilers (Ebrahimzadeh et al., 2013; Moeini
et al., 2011; Noori, Farhoomand, & Ebrahimzadeh, 2012).
Actually, hematological parameters could be used as an indicator
for the physiological and health status as well as the welfare condi-
tion of animals (Ognik & Sembratowicz, 2012). The general improve-
ment in the levels of RBC, Hb, and PCV associated with chromium
treatments can be explained as chromium may stimulate the syn-
thesis of high prolific red blood cells from the bone marrow, which
reduces the incidence of anemia disease in poultry (Anwar, Mahfouz,
& Sayed, 1998). Additionally, the increased levels of WBC and lym-
phocytes support the previous report of immunity enhancement by
chromium supplementation (Farag et al., 2017). These results are in a
line with the observation of Ezzat, Abdallah, Rizk, Ouda, and Abd El-
krim (2018), who indicated a significant improvement in RBC, WBC,
lymphocytes, and Hb levels for birds fed diets supplemented with
chromium picolinate compared to the control group.
Concerning blood biochemical constituents; the high level of
serum protein profile (total protein, albumin, and globulin) observed
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Chromium yeast
1,000 ppb 500 ppb 1,000 ppb p-Value SEM
b b b
2.20 2.15 2.42 0.0001 0.074
c c b
0.600 0.650 0.837 0.0001 0.034
0.750 b 0.750 b 0.875b 0.0001 0.041
for chromium treatments could be attributed to better absorp-
tion and utilization of protein and amino acids owing to the role
of chromium in stimulating the digestive enzymes activity (Karam
et al., 2007).
The reduction in concentration of serum lipid constituents (total
lipids, cholesterol, LDL, and triglycerides) associated with chromi-
um-treated groups may be due to the fact that chromium enhances
muscles syntheses; since most of glucose absorbed are accompa-
nied with amino acid uptake by cells, therefore, no excess of glu-
cose could be converted into triglycerides or other lipids (Aslanian
et al., 2011). Additionally, the beneficial effect of chromium on lipid
profile could be regarded to the increment of liver LDL receptors,
which decreases serum LDL and consequently the HDL proportion
increases (Tu-Fa, Chaen-Ping, & Jin-Jenn, 2003).
Despite the high glucose uptake rate by cells, there is high
flow of absorbed glucose from gastrointestinal tract in the blood;
that may explain the high glucose level associated specially with
the organic chromium treatments (Cr-Met and Cr-yeast). The
higher glucose values recorded for the organic chromium treat-
ments indicate more bioavailability of such sources than chro-
mium inorganic sources. The obtained result is contradictory to
Attia, Tawfeek, Mady, and Assar (2015) who reported a signifi-
cant decrease in blood glucose level in birds supplemented with
chromium sources. However, Bhagat, Ahmed, Tyagi, Saxena, and
Saxena (2005) and Pragati Patel, Baghel, and Amir (2018) showed
insignificant effects of chromium treatments on blood glucose.
The inconsistency among these results may be attributed to the
difference in environmental stress, chromium source, and supple-
mentation levels applied.
Increasing T3 level in the serum of broilers supplemented with
chromium treatments could be explained as chromium enhancing
thyroid function and stimulating the production of its hormones (T3
and T4), as reported by Karam et al. (2007). Such increment in T3
level can explain the improvement in body metabolism obtained in
this study represented in BW and BWG performance.
The high levels of serum calcium and available phosphorus
observed with chromium treatments may be attributed to the en-
hancement of overall nutrients absorption including calcium and
phosphorus (Sahin & Onderci, 2002).
The reduction in liver enzymatic activity (ALT and AST) and the
creatinine level as well as the increment in alkaline phosphatase en-
zyme related to all chromium-treated groups are good indicators of
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8 of 9       SAFWAT et al.
the non-toxic effect of different chromium treatments on the liver
and kidney of treated birds. As these measurements are good tools
to evaluate the safety level of a new feedstuff or tested feed addi-
tive (Diaz, Roldan, & Cortes, 2003).
The role of chromium (either from organic or inorganic sources)
in alleviating the oxidative stress on birds is obvious; since chromium
treatments increased TAC which indicates the activity of the anti-
oxidant system, as well as it decreased MDA concentration which
is a secondary by-product of lipid peroxidation caused by oxygen
free radicals (Bento, Puri, Moreau, & Rubinsztein, 2013). The present
results are in accordance with Rao et al. (2012) who reported that
chromium supplementation in broiler diets is assumed to augment
the antioxidant defense system.
The increased levels of immunoglobulin G (IgG) as well as im-
munoglobulin M (IgM) may indicate an improvement in immune
function of chicks treated with dietary chromium in comparison to
control group. The enhancement in immunity caused by chromium
treatments could be due to the role of chromium in stimulating natu-
ral defense mechanisms against diseases infections or even environ-
mental stress (Farag et al., 2017).
Regarding carcass characteristics, the higher dressing percent-
age recorded for chromium treatments in comparison to the control
group could be related to the potential insulin action, as affected
by Cr, of increasing glucose and amino acids uptake by the cells
resulting in higher amount of protein syntheses in muscle tissues
(Suksombat & Kanchanatawee, 2005). On the other hand, the re-
duction in abdominal fat with chromium supplementation may be
also due to the inhibitory effects of chromium on lipogenic activity
and fat deposition in adipose tissue (Chen et al., 2018). The present
result of increased carcass yield and reduced abdominal fat levels
in broilers are consistent with previous studies (Huang, Yang, Xiao,
Lloyd, & Lin, 2016; Rajalekshmi et al., 2014).
The significant increment in relative weight of lymphoid organs
(bursa and thymus) for all chromium treatments, together with the
above results of immunoglobulin (G and M), WBC, and lymphocytes,
confirm the improvements in immunity status of broilers as affected
by chromium supplementation.
The decrease in intestinal bacteria and, more specifically, the
pathogenic bacteria (Salmonella spp. and E. coli), and accordingly
the total bacterial count (CFU) in chromium supplemented groups
is expectable as the general immunity status increased by chromium
supplementation. The higher immunity level of the body resists
pathogens including internal pathogenic bacteria (Nochi, Jansen,
Toyomizu, & Van Eden, 2018).
5 |  CO N C LU S I O N
Based on the results of the present study, it could be concluded that
all chromium treatments (regardless their source) at both levels (500
or 1,000 ppb) improved growth performance, physiological traits,
antioxidant and immunity status, as well as carcass characteristics
of broiler chickens. In spite of the favorable results of all dietary
chromium supplementation, the organic chromium sources (Cr-Met
and Cr-yeast), especially at the high level (1,000 ppb), seem to be
better than the inorganic chromium source (Cr2O3).
ORCID
Assem Mohamed Safwat  https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0622-318X
Asmaa Shawkey Elnaggar  https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4995-0213
Osama Ahmed Elghalid  https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4196-3965
Waleed Salah EL-Tahawy  https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0416-9367
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How to cite this article: Safwat AM, Elnaggar AS, Elghalid
OA, EL-Tahawy WS. Effects of different sources and levels of
dietary chromium supplementation on performance of broiler
chicks. Anim Sci J. 2020;91:e13448. https://doi.org/10.1111/
asj.13448