Chromium propionate supplementation and its effects on energy metabolism of sheep matrices

• Grant number: 21/04277-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: August 01, 2021
• End date: July 31, 2022
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Veterinary Medicine
• Principal Investigator: Sarita Bonagurio Gallo
• Grantee: Thaís Bianconi Coimbra
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos (FZEA). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Pirassununga , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The negative energy balance at the end of pregnancy and the beginning of lactation is caused by the high energy demand in these phases, causing mobilization of lipid reserves, metabolic stress, and, in critical cases, metabolic diseases. Chromium has been studied as a supplement to enhance the use of glucose, among other functions. This mechanism occurs by increasing cellular sensitivity to insulin, increasing the uptake of circulating glucose. The recommended dose of chromium is not established. The aim of the project is to evaluate doses of chromium in the diet of sheep during the end of pregnancy and lactation and its effects on the energetic metabolism. The experiment will take place at the sheep farm of the Faculty of Animal Science and Food Engineering at the University of São Paulo. 100 sheep will be used, randomly divided into four treatments. The treatments correspond to different doses of chromium which are 0, 1, 1.5, and 2 mg of chromium propionate per kg DM of the total diet. In the sheep, blood parameters related to energy metabolism, such as NEFA, BHB, insulin, glucose, will be evaluated. The ultrasound technique will be used to assist the determination of the condition score. Furthermore, the occurrence of metabolic diseases in sheep during pregnancy and early lactation will also be evaluated. The design will be incomplete randomized blocks. The statistical program will be SAS, and the mathematical model will take into account fixed and random effects. The type of delivery and sex of the progeny will be taken into account in the statistical analysis. The statistical probability will be 5%.