KemTRACE^® Chromium for Dairy Cattle

Insulin is the Key

Insulin plays a key role in optimum cell function by acting as a "key" in the lock to the door that allows glucose into the cell. Once insulin has "unlocked the door," blood glucose can enter the cell and be used as an energy source. Chromium improves insulin function and results in efficient clearance of glucose from the bloodstream.¹

Immune Function

Upon activation, immune cells become obligate glucose utilizers.³ Increased glucose uptake may help animals mount an immune response even under a severe immune challenge–such as heat stress.

Heat Stress

Research studies, designed to test the effect of chromium on milk yield under heat stress conditions, have shown cows supplemented with chromium have increased dry matter intake and yield more milk than control cows.⁴

Cows with More Energy:

Chromium supplementation has been shown to improve energy utilization and reduce the impact of negative energy balance in early lactation.²

KEY BENEFITS:

• Reduce negative energy balance
• Improve immune function
• Improve reproduction efficiency
• Increase milk yield
• Increase feed efficiency
• Withstand effects of heat stress

Reproduction

Chromium supplementation has been shown to reduce insulin resistance in dairy cows in early lactation.² Studies with chromium have also shown its ability to reduce subclinical metritis,⁵ improve conception rates and pregnancy rates,⁶ reduce days to first service, and increase the number of viable oocytes in cows supplemented with high-energy diets.⁷

Feed Efficiency

Chromium has been shown to alter insulin action and either increase dry matter intake, or minimize a drop of feed intake among animals subject to stress.^8,9,10

Summary

The dietary trace element, chromium, is necessary to optimize the activation of the insulin receptor so more glucose can get into the cell. Adding supplemental KemTRACE^® Chromium to the diet provides the additional chromium for insulin receptor activation. Chromium enhances this reaction, causing glucose transporter activation, allowing additional glucose to enter the cell. The additional glucose will allow for more energy to be available for proper cell function.

• Chromium is a trace mineral required by cattle, in microgram or milligram amounts per day, for optimal nutrition and performance
• Chromium propionate is a highly bioavailable, organic source of chromium that optimizes how animals process glucose
• Optimized glucose utilization can result in better animal maintenance, production, reproduction, growth and immunity
• KemTRACE Chromium is supported by more than 20 years of Kemin research
• Efficient and easy to incorporate with premixes and other feed ingredients
  
• Made in the U.S.A. and available in two product concentrations:
  • 0.04% - for use in complete diets
  • 0.4% - for use in a premix prior to inclusion in complete diets  

Resources

Reproduction

Chromium In the News

References

¹Mertz, W. 1992. Chromium: History and nutritional importance. Biol. Trace Elem. Res. 32:3-8.
²Hayirli et al., 2001. J. Dairy Sci. 84:1218-1230.
³Palsson-McDermott, E. M., and L. A. O'Neill. 2013. BioEssays. 35:965-973.
⁴Kemin Internal Document, 15-00066.
⁵Yasui, T., et al., 2014. J. Dairy Sci. 97:1-11.
⁶Ferguson et al., 2013. J. Dairy Sci. 96(E-Supplement):127.
⁷Leiva, T., R. F. Cooke, A. P. Brandão, A. C. Aboin, J. Ranches, and J. L. M. Vasconcelos. 2015. Livest. Sci. 180:121-128.
⁸Y. Al-Saiady, M. & Alishaikh, Mohammed & Al-Mufarrej, Saud & A. Al-Showeimi, T. & Mogawer, Hassan Hosny & Dirrar, A. (2004). Animal Feed Science and Technology - ANIM FEED SCI TECH. 117:223-233. 10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2004.07.008.
⁹An-Qiang, L., W. Zhi-Sheng, and Z. An-Gup. 2009. Pak. J. Nutr. 8:940-945.
¹⁰Vargas-Rodriguez, C. F., K. Yuan, E. C. Titgemeyer, L. K. Mamedova, K. E. Griswold, and B. J. Bradford. 2014. J. Dairy Sci. 97:3815-3821.

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.