Abstract:
This study assessed the effect
of chromium picolinate (CrPic) and vitamin
C (Vit C) on the serum proteins and glucose
of two breeds of cocks. A total of 192
sexually mature cocks, 24 weeks old,
consisting of 96 Noiler cocks (NC) and 96
White Leghorn cocks (WLC), were utilised in
the study. The two breeds were allocated to 8
treatments and reproduced four times, with
six cocks per replication, in a 2 × 2 x 4
factorial design. A total of 8 experimental
diets were constituted with four diets
containing CrPic at 0.00, 0.40, 0.80 and 1.20
mg CrPic/kg without Vit C and another four
diets containing CrPic at 0.00, 0.40, 0.80 and
1.20 mg CrPic/kg with Vit C inclusion at 200
mg/kg diet in each of the treatments for 16
weeks. The data collected were subjected to a
2 × 2 x 4 factorial arrangement using SAS
(version 9.2). The serum proteins studied
included total protein (TP) (g/dl), albumin
(ALB) (g/dl), and globulin (GLB) (g/dl).
Supplementation of CrPic significantly
(p<0.05) enhanced serum proteins up to 0.8
mg/kg diet. However, a 1.2 mg/kg diet
significantly reduced serum protein
concentrations. Serum glucose was not
significantly (p>0.05) different among cocks
fed varied CrPic supplements compared to the
control diet. The immunostimulant activity of
vitamin C at a 200 mg/kg diet increased
serum protein and decreased glucose levels
compared to the control. Notably, interactions
between 0.8 mg/kg CrPic and 200 mg/kg
vitamin C revealed breed-specific effects: It
increased serum protein in both breeds,
decreased serum glucose in White Leghorns,
but increased it in Noilers. This suggests a
differential effect of the CrPic and vitamin C
combination on glucose regulation in these
breeds. This study therefore suggests that a
0.8 mg CrPic/kg diet with Vit C has the
potential to significantly increase serum
protein and enhance insulin sensitivity in
cocks raised at high ambient temperatures.
