KemTRACE^® Chromium for Beef Cattle

Increased Feed Efficiency

Chromium has been shown to alter insulin action and either increase dry matter intake or minimize a drop in feed intake among animals subjected to stress.^3,4,5

Increased Protein Accretion

Insulin is the primary hormone responsible for the uptake and storage of glucose by insulin responsive tissues.⁶ Muscle and adipose tissue are the main insulin responsive tissues in ruminants, but muscle accounts for over 80 percent of the insulin-dependent uptake of glucose.⁷ Chromium acts to potentiate the action of insulin, increasing glucose availability within the cell.⁸ Additional glucose in the muscle cell provides the energy for optimizing protein synthesis resulting in improved live performance and increased hot carcass weight.⁹

Withstand the Effects of Stress

Chromium supplementation minimizes the negative effects of the stress response by consistently decreasing serum cortisol during stressful periods for cattle.¹⁰ During a stress event, such as an immune challenge, there can be substantial increases in glucose consumption by immune cells shifting energy demands away from production.¹¹

Product Specifications

Resources

References

¹Mertz, W. 1992. Chromium: History and nutritional importance. Biological Trace Element Research. 32:3-8.
²Palsson-McDermott E. M. and L. A. O’Neill. 2013. The Warburg effect then and now: From cancer to inflammatory diseases. Bioessays. 35:965-973.
³Alsaiady, M., M. Alshaikh, S. Al-Mufarrej, T. A. Al-Showeimi, H. H. Mogawer, and A. Dirrar. 2004. Effect of chelated chromium supplementation on lactation performance and blood parameters of Holstein cows under heat stress. Animal Feed Science and Technology. 117:223-233.
⁴An-Qiang, L., W. Zhi-Sheng, and Z. An-Guo. 2009. Effect of chromium picolinate supplementation on early lactation performance, rectal temperatures, respiration rates and plasma biochemical response of Holstein cows under heat stress. Pakistan Journal of Nutrition. 8.
⁵Vargas-Rodriguez, C. F., K. Yuan, E. C. Titgemeyer, L. K. Mamedova, K. E. Griswold, and B. J. Bradford. 2014. Effects of supplemental chromium propionate and rumen-protected amino acids on productivity, diet digestibility, and energy balance of peak-lactation dairy cattle. Journal of Dairy Science. 97:3815-3821.
⁶Weekes, T. E. 1991. Hormonal control of glucose metabolism. Proceedings of 7th International Symposium on Ruminant Physiology (ed. T. Tsuda, Y. Sasaki and R. Kawashima). 183.
⁷Kraegen, E. W., D. E. James, A. B. Jenkins, and D. J. Chisholm. 1985. Dose-responsive curves for in vivo insulin sensitivity in individual tissues in rats. American Journal of Physiology, Endocrinology and Metabolism. 248:E353-E362.
⁸Saltiel, A. R. and C. R. Kahn. 2001. Insulin signaling and the regulation of glucose and lipid metabolism.Nature. 414:799-806.
⁹Johnson, B., J. Baggerman, J. Kim, and Z. Smith. 2016. Chromium propionate enhances feedlot performance and carcass quality through changes in nutrient metabolism. Plains Nutrition Conference.
¹⁰Mowat, D. N. 1996. Supplemental organic chromium for beef and dairy cattle. Proceedings of Asia-Pacific Lecture Tour. 31.
¹¹Stoakes, S. K., E. A. Nolan, D. J. Valko, M. Abuajamieh, M. V. Sanz Fernandez, and L. H. Baumgard. 2015. Estimating glucose requirements of an activated immune system in Holstein steers. Journal of Animal Science. 93:s3/Journal of Dairy Science. 98:s2.

Have a question?

If you have a question about our products or services, or just want more information, fill out the form below and someone on our team will be in contact with you.