Effect of Chromium Supplementation on Livestock and Poultry birds

Chromium is a newer mineral and come under the category of trace mineral. Chromium is the 21st most abundant mineral in the crust of the earth. Chromium may occur in all oxidation states from -2 to +6, and mostly it is found in the trivalent and hexavalent forms. Various studies have shown that the primary role of Cr is an integral component in activating enzymes and is involved in carbohydrate, lipid and protein metabolism. In order for thyroid gland to produce thyroxine (T4), it needs the trace element Cr, and it is also an essential component to enzyme function that supports the conversion of T4 to triiodothyronine lipid and protein and also enhancing glucose uptake by living tissues. It has also been shown that chromium activates certain enzymes and stabilizes proteins and nucleic acids. The predominant physiological role of chromium is an integral component of biologically active chromium or the Glucose Tolerance Factor (GTF), which potentiates action of the vital hormone insulin. Insulin will not function efficiently with diets deficient in chromium. The book is aimed to see the effect different forms of chromium supplementation on performances of livestock and poultry birds.