Beneficial effects of chromium on glucose and lipid variables in control and somatotropin-treated pigs are associated with increased tissue chromium and altered tissue copper, iron, and zinc.

Chromium (Cr) and somatotropin have been shown to increase lean body mass in pigs but by independent mechanisms. Somatotropin and Cr also affect blood glucose, lipids, and tissue trace metal concentrations. Twenty-four castrated male pigs were divided into four groups: 1) control basal diet; 2) basal diet + 300 micrograms of Cr/kg of diet as Cr picolinate; 3) basal diet + pituitary porcine somatotropin (ppST; 100 micrograms/kg live weight injected daily); and 4) basal diet + Cr + ppST. Pigs were fed the diets from 30 to 60 kg body weight and then killed. Supplemental Cr led to increased total Cr in kidney (1.1 vs 2.3 micrograms) and liver (5.9 vs 8.8 micrograms) but not in the heart independent of ppST treatment. Chromium concentrations in longissimus muscle were less than 1.5 ng/g in all samples, and any increases due to supplemental Cr were not detected. Somatotropin treatment led to decreased hepatic Cr, Cu, Fe, and Zn concentrations and increased total renal Cu, Fe, and Zn. These data demonstrate that supplemental Cr causes increased tissue Cr in the liver and kidney but not in the heart or muscle in control and somatotropin treated pigs. Somatotropin treatment caused decreased kidney and liver Cr concentrations that were offset by increased tissue weights. Somatotropin effects on tissue Cr, Cu, Zn, and Fe were variable and difficult to evaluate due in part to growth hormone-induced changes in organ weights.