Abstract

Dairy cows start producing milk at the same time as they give birth from pregnancy, and about 30 to 60 days after giving birth, the uterus regresses, ovarian activity recovers, and the estrous cycle returns. During the transition period, many endocrine and metabolic functions associated with the birth of calves and the initiation of milk production change, and cattle undergo major metabolic adaptations to glucose, fatty acid, and mineral metabolism. Some cows that are unable to respond to these changes can cause fatty liver, ketosis, dysregulation of inflammation, immunosuppression and ultimately postpartum metabolic or infectious disease.

Trace minerals play important roles in dairy cow energy metabolism, immune function and oxidative metabolism, especially during the transition period. Chromium (Cr), in particular, is a trace mineral that plays an important role in the metabolism of human and animal carbohydrates and lipids. Cows fed a Cr-supplemented diet have been shown to increase milk yield and improve energy metabolism. Chromium can improve insulin sensitivity by binding to intracellular insulin receptor sites and enhancing insulin signaling.

Chromium supplementation can affect fertility through effects on energy metabolism during the transition period. This is because the higher production of NEFA and ketones in the cow circulation during the transition period is associated with lower reproductive performance.

Keywords: Chromium; Transition Cattle; Reproduction; Cytological Endometritis; Metabolism

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