SERUM PROTEIN AND GLUCOSE OF COCKS FED CRPIC DIETS WITH OR WITHOUT VITAMIN C AT HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURE

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.