Effect of chromium-methionine supplementation on hematologic characteristics and meat quality parameters in goat kids

Previous research has shown that Cr is needed for growth and protein synthesis. This study was carried out to determine the effects of supplementing chromium-methionine (Cr-Met) on performance, hematologic characteristics and meat quality parameters in kids. Thirty-two male kids (average initial BW of 22 ± 2 kg, 4mo) were used in a completely randomized design with four treatments: 1. control (without Cr), 2. 500, 3. 1000 and 4. 1500 ug Cr/kg of Cr-Met diet. The animals were kept in separate pens for 100 days. Kids were weighed at 21 day intervals and blood samples drawn on 75 day of the experiment were analyzed for hematologic characteristics. Kids were slaughtered at the end of the trial, and meat quality parameters (Warner-Bratzlershear force, color, chemical composition, water retention and pH) of longissimus dorsi muscle (LDM) were studied. The average of dry matter intake and daily gain weight were not affected by chromium supplementation (p>0.05) but, feed conversion ratio (FCR) improved in 1500 ug Cr/kg group. Chromium supplementation increased total white blood cell count (p<0.05) although, the other hematologic parameters were not affected by Cr-Met (p>0.05). Addition of different levels of (Cr-Met) failed to significantly effect on lightness (L*), pH, moisture (%), intramuscular fat (%), cooking loss and drip loss percentage (p>0.05). Chromium supplementation increased redness (a*), yellowness (b*), chroma, hue angle and crude protein content(%) of LDM (p<0.05). Supplemental Cr decreases Warner-Bratzlershear force of LDM (p<0.1). These results indicate that Cr-Met diet improved performance, meat quality and increased white blood cells in Mahabadi goat kids.