Articles | Volume 69, issue 2
https://doi.org/10.5194/aab-69-251-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/aab-69-251-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Enhancement of productive performance, nutrient digestibility, and meat quality in broilers subjected to cyclic heat stress via different organic and inorganic chromium concentrations
Youssef Abdelwahab Attia
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Sustainable Agriculture Research Group, Agriculture Department, Faculty of Environmental Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
Nicola Francesco Addeo
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Sustainable Agriculture Research Group, Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Napoli Federico II, via F. Delpino,1, 80137, Napoli, Italy
Fulvia Bovera
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Sustainable Agriculture Research Group, Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Napoli Federico II, via F. Delpino,1, 80137, Napoli, Italy
Rashed Abdullah Alhotan
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Department of Animal Production, College of Food and Agricultural Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
Khalid Ali Asiry
Sustainable Agriculture Research Group, Agriculture Department, Faculty of Environmental Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
Mohamed Alsaeed Al-Banoby
Al-Shamel Animal Feed Factory, Industrial Area, Hail 55411, Saudi Arabia
El-Shahat Mohamed Qota
Department of Poultry Nutrition, Animal Production Research Institute, Agriculture Research Center, Ministry of Agriculture, Dokki, Giza, Egypt
Adel Daifallah Al-qurashi
Sustainable Agriculture Research Group, Agriculture Department, Faculty of Environmental Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
Ahmed Shaban Awad
Rabbits, Turkey and waterfowl Department, Animal Production Research Institute, Agriculture Research Center, Ministry of Agriculture, Dokki, Giza, Egypt
Related authors
Mohamed F. A. Farghly, Rashed A. Alhotan, Khalid M. Mahrose, Youssef A. Attia, Mostafa Abdelfattah, Mohammed Abougabal, Mossad Taboosha, Mohammed Ghonime, Mahmoud Shaaban, Caterina Losacco, and Vincenzo Tufarelli
Arch. Anim. Breed., 66, 315–324, https://doi.org/10.5194/aab-66-315-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/aab-66-315-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Based on follicle number and testosterone concentration results, light flashes scheduled as biomittent light may be an economical alternative to continuous light for managing Rhode Island Red hens without harmfully influencing their physiological response, healthy traits, behavior and welfare. So, a light flash schedule of a 20 min : 40 min light period during 20–36 weeks of age is suggested for further experiments to confirm the economic and production benefits for the farming of breeding hens.
Fayiz M. Reda, Ayman S. Salah, Youssef A. Attia, Rashed A. Alhotan, Mohamed A. Mahmoud, Alessandro Di Cerbo, and Mahmoud Alagawany
Arch. Anim. Breed., 67, 445–454, https://doi.org/10.5194/aab-67-445-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/aab-67-445-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
The goal of the current study was to determine how dietary black pepper oil (BPO) supplementation affected growth performance, characteristics of growing quails' immunity, antioxidant status, and carcass yield. In conclusion, dietary BPO supplementation in Japanese quails' diet can boost growth performance and antioxidant indices, enhance lipid profile and carcass traits, and reduce intestinal infections.
Mohammed A. Kamal, Mahmoud A. Khalf, Zakia A. M. Ahmed, Jakeen A. Eljakee, Rashed A. Alhotan, Mohammed A. A. Al-Badwi, Elsayed O. Hussein, Branislav Galik, and Ahmed A. Saleh
Arch. Anim. Breed., 67, 25–35, https://doi.org/10.5194/aab-67-25-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/aab-67-25-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Poor-quality drinking water plays a detrimental role in the suppression of calf immunity, giving rise to an increased rate of calf mortality. The present study aims to evaluate the causes of calf mortality in beef and dairy farms in relation to drinking water quality (DWQ). We could conclude that DWQ highly affects causes of calf mortality, but we cannot exclude some farm hygienic risk factors.
Mohammed H. Alzawqari, Mustafa Shukry Atta, Abdallah Metwally, Shaimaa Selim, Mohammad A. M. Wadaan, In Ho Kim, Sungbo Cho, Hossam M. Eltahan, Mahmoud Alagawany, Rashed A. Alhotan, Ali R. Al Sulaiman, Elsayed Osman Hussein, and Ahmed A. Saleh
Arch. Anim. Breed., 66, 451–460, https://doi.org/10.5194/aab-66-451-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/aab-66-451-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
This study aimed to show the effect of bile acid (BA) and xylanase (Xyl) supplementation on growth, fat digestibility, serum lipid metabolites, and ileal digesta viscosity of broilers fed wheat and tallow in their diets. The results of this trial revealed that the supplementation of Xyl significantly reduced the ileal digesta viscosity, and the supplementation of BA significantly increased the attention of serum lipid metabolites.
Mohamed F. A. Farghly, Rashed A. Alhotan, Khalid M. Mahrose, Youssef A. Attia, Mostafa Abdelfattah, Mohammed Abougabal, Mossad Taboosha, Mohammed Ghonime, Mahmoud Shaaban, Caterina Losacco, and Vincenzo Tufarelli
Arch. Anim. Breed., 66, 315–324, https://doi.org/10.5194/aab-66-315-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/aab-66-315-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Based on follicle number and testosterone concentration results, light flashes scheduled as biomittent light may be an economical alternative to continuous light for managing Rhode Island Red hens without harmfully influencing their physiological response, healthy traits, behavior and welfare. So, a light flash schedule of a 20 min : 40 min light period during 20–36 weeks of age is suggested for further experiments to confirm the economic and production benefits for the farming of breeding hens.
Cited articles
Abdel-Moneim, A. M. E., Shehata, A. M., Khidr, R. E., Paswan, V. K., Ibrahim, N. S., El-Ghoul, A. A., Aldhumri, S. A., Gabr, S. A., Mesalam, N. M., Elbaz, A. M., Elsayed, M. A., Wakwak, M. M., and Ebeid, T. A.: Nutritional manipulation to combat heat stress in poultry – A comprehensive review, J. Therm. Biol., 98, 102915, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtherbio.2021.102915, 2021.
Aitken, A., Casey, J. C., Penny, I. F., and Voyle, C. A.: Effect of drying temperature in the accelerated freeze-drying of pork, J. Sci. Food Agric., 13, 439–448, https://doi.org/10.1002/jsfa.2740130808, 1962.
Anandhi, M., Mathivanan, R., Viswanathan, K., and Mohan, B.: Dietary Inclusion of Organic Chromium on Production and Carcass Characteristics of Broilers, Int. J. Poult. Sci., 5, 880–884, https://doi.org/10.3923/ijps.2006.880.884, 2006.
AOAC (Association of Official Analytical Chemists): Official Methods of Analysis, 16th Edn., AOAC International, Arlington, VA, USA, ISBN 0-935584-54-4, 1995.
Apalowo, O. O., Ekunseitan, D. A., and Fasina, Y. O.: Impact of Heat Stress on Broiler Chicken Production, Poultry, 3, 107–128, https://doi.org/10.3390/poultry3020010, 2024.
Arif, M., Hussain, I., Mahmood, M. A., Abd El-Hack, M. E., Swelum, A. A., Alagawany, M., Mahmoud, A. H., Ebaid, H., and Komany, A.: Effect of varying levels of chromium propionate on growth performance and blood biochemistry of broilers, Animals, 9, 935, https://doi.org/10.3390/ani9110935, 2019.
Bahrami, A., Moeini, M. M., Ghazi, S. H., and Targhibi, M. R.: The effect of different levels of organic and inorganic chromium supplementation on immune function of broiler chicken under heat-stress conditions, J. Appl. Poult. Res., 21, 209–215, https://doi.org/10.3382/japr.2010-00275, 2012.
Bohlmann, L.: Supplement your knowledge of supplements, The Dairy Mail, 19, 53–55, https://doi.org/10.10520/EJC13094, 2012.
Chandrasekar, S. and Balakrishnan, U.: Chromium nutrition in alleviating the effect of stressors in poultry production: a review, Int. J. Anim. Sci., 3, 1040, 2019.
Dalólio, F. S., Alvino, L. F. T., Silva, J. N., Alves, A. K., Fireman, T., Burin Jr., A. M., Busanello, M., and Ribeiro Jr., V.: Dietary chromium-methionine supplementation and broiler (22–43 d) responses during heat stress, 1. Growth performance and carcass yield, metabolizable energy and serum biochemistry, Anim. Prod. Sci., 61, 586–595, https://doi.org/10.1071/AN20140, 2021.
Dalólio, F. S., Albino, L. F. T., de Oliveira, H. C., Fireman, A. K. B. A. T., Junior, A. B., Busanello, M., Junior, N. R., Tesser, G. L. S., and Nunes, R. V.: Dietary chromium-methionine supplementation and broiler (22–43 d) responses during heat stress, 2-Physiological variables, and heat shock protein 70 and insulin-like growth factor-1 gene expression, Anim. Prod. Sci., 64, AN23354, https://doi.org/10.1071/AN23354, 2024.
Feng, C., Lin, H., Li, J., and Xie, B.: Effects of dietary inorganic chromium supplementation on broiler growth performance: a meta-analysis, PeerJ., 9, e11097, https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0249527, 2021.
Fraz, A., Parker, N. B., Löhr, C., and Cherian, G.: Evaluating the impact of organic chromium with flax seed in broiler diets: effects on production performance, breast muscle pathology, and meat quality aspects, Poult. Sci., 102, 102331, https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.11097, 2023.
Ghanbari, S., Ebrahimnazhad, Y., Eshratkhah, B., and Nazeradl, K.: Effect of dietary chromium supplementation on performance and carcass traits of broiler chicks, Pak. J. Nutr., 11, 467–472 https://doi.org/10.3923/pjn.2012.467.472, 2012.
Ghazi, S. H., Habibian, M., Moeini, M. M., and Abdolmohammadi, A. R.: Effects of different levels of organic and inorganic chromium on growth performance and immunocompetence of broilers under heat stress, Biol. Trace Elem. Res., 146, 309–317, https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-011-9260-1, 2012.
Hayat, K., Bodinga, B. M., Han, D., Yang, X., Sun, Q., Aleya, L., Abdel-Daim, M. M., and Yang, X.: Effects of dietary inclusion of chromium propionate on growth performance, intestinal health, immune response and nutrient transporter gene expression in broilers, Sci. Total Environ., 705, 135869, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.135869, 2020.
Huang, Y., Yang, J., Xiao, F., Lloyd, K., and Lin, X.: Effects of supplemental chromium source and concentration on growth performance, carcass traits, and meat quality of broilers under heat stress conditions, Biol. Trace Elem. Res., 170, 216–223, https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-015-0443-z, 2016.
Husani, S. A., Deartherage, F. B., and Kunkle, L. E.: Studies on meat: observations on relation of biochemical factors to change in tenderness, Feed Technol., 4, 366–369, 1950.
Jain, D., Subhash, K., Mangesh, K., Dhuria, R. K., Sharma, R. K., Siyag, S. S., Tanu, S., Rajesh, S., Tamanna, B., and Prajapat, U. K.: Effect of chromium supplementation from different sources on performance of broilers, Int. J. Chem. Stud., 6, 549–554, 2018.
Jakobsen, P. E., Gertov, K., and Nilsen, S. H.: Frdjelighed frogmed fierbrae, “Digestibility trails with poultry”, Bereting fra for sogslabort, 56, 1–34, 1960.
Kim, D. Y., Kim, J. H., Choi, W. J., Han, G. P., and Kil, D. Y.: Comparative effects of dietary functional nutrients on growth performance, meat quality, immune responses, and stress biomarkers in broiler chickens raised under heat stress conditions, Anim. Biosci., 34, 1839–1848, https://doi.org/10.5713/ab.21.0230, 2021.
Kim, H., Lee, K. W., and Kim, B. G.: Optimal supplemental chromium concentration for alleviating heat stress in broiler chickens: a meta-analysis, J. Trop. Anim. Sci., 46, 347–353, https://doi.org/10.5398/tasj.2023.46.3.347, 2023.
Kobla, H. V. and Volpe, E. L.: Chromium, exercise, and body composition, Crit. Rev. Food Sci. Nutr., 40, 291–308, https://doi.org/10.1080/10408690091189167, 2000.
Król, B., Slupczynska, M., Kinal, S., Bodarski, R., Tronina, W., and Monka, M.: Bioavailability of organic and inorganic sources of chromium in broiler chicken feeds, Elements, 22, 283–294, https://doi.org/10.5601/jelem.2016.21.1.1119, 2017.
Lee, D., Wu, F., Cheng, Y., Lin, R., and Wu, P.: Effects of dietary chromium picolinate supplementation on growth performance and immune responses of broilers, Asian Australas, J. Anim. Sci. 16, 227–233, https://doi.org/10.5713/ajas.2003.227, 2003.
Letonja, M. and Petrovic, D.: Is diabetic cardiomyopathy a specific entity?, World J. Cardiol., 6, 8–13, https://doi.org/10.4330/wjc.v6.i1.8, 2014.
Levene, H.: Robust Tests for Equality of Variances, in: Contributions to Probability and Statistics, edited by: Olkin, I., Stanford University Press, Palo Alto, 278–292, 1960.
Lu, L., Zhao, L. L., Dong, S. Y., Liao, X. D., Dong, X. Y., Zhang, L. Y., and Luo, X. G.: Dietary supplementation of organic or inorganic chromium modulates the immune responses of broilers vaccinated with Avian Influenza virus vaccine, Animal, 13, 983–991, https://doi.org/10.1017/S1751731118002379, 2019.
Metwally, M. A., Farghly, M. F. A., Ismail, Z. S. H., Ghonime, M. E., and Mohamed, I. A.: Effect of different levels of optimize and phytase enzymes and their interactions on the performance of broiler chickens fed corn/soybean meal: 3. European production efficiency factor, European broiler index and some immune organs, Egypt. J. Nutr. Feeds., 23, 507–514, https://doi.org/10.21608/ejnf.2020.148158, 2020.
National Research Council (NRC): Nutrient Requirements of Poultry: Ninth Revised Edition, 1994, The National Academies Press, Washington, DC, https://doi.org/10.17226/2114, 1994.
Nawab, A., Ibtisham, F., Li, G., Kieser, B., Wu, J., Liu, W., Zhao, Y., Nawab, Y., Li, K., Xiao, M., and Lilong, A. N.: Heat stress in poultry production: Mitigation strategies to overcome the future challenges facing the global poultry industry, J. Therm. Biol., 78, 131–139, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtherbio.2018.08.010, 2018.
Nawaz, A. H., Amoah, K., Leng, Q. Y., Zheng, J. H., Zhang, W. L., and Zhang, L.: Poultry response to heat stress: its physiological, metabolic, and genetic implications on meat production and quality including strategies to improve broiler production in a warming world, Front. Vet. Sci., 8, 699081, https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2021.699081, 2021.
Noori, K., Farhoomand, P., and Ebrahimzadeh, S. K.: Effects of the chromium methionine supplementation on performance, serum metabolites and carcass traits in broiler chickens, J. Anim. Sci. Adv., 2, 230–235, 2012.
Olajire, A. and Ayodele, E. T.: Contamination of roadside soil and grass with heavy metals, Environ. Int., 23, 91–101, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0160-4120(96)00080-3, 1997.
Orhan, C., Tuzcu, M., Deeh, P. B. D., Sahin, N., Komorowski, J. R., and Sahin, K.: Organic chromium form alleviates the detrimental effects of heat stress on nutrient digestibility and nutrient transporters in laying hens, Biol. Trace Elem. Res., 189, 529–537, https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-018-1485-9, 2019.
Pearce, S. C., Gabler, N. K., Ross, J. W., Escobar, J., Patience, J. F., Rhoads, R. P., and Baumgard, L. H.: The effects of heat stress and plane of nutrition on metabolism in growing pigs, J. Anim. Sci., 91, 2108–2118, https://doi.org/10.2527/jas.2012-5738, 2013.
Piray, A. and Foroutanifar, S.: Chromium supplementation on the growth performance, carcass traits, blood constituents, and immune competence of broiler chickens under heat stress: a systematic review and dose – response meta-analysis, Biol. Trace. Elem. Res., 200, 2876–2888, https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-021-02885-x, 2021.
Piva, A., Meola, E., Gatta, P. P., Biagi, G., Castellani, G., Mordenti, A. L., Luchansky, J. B., Silva, S., and Mordenti, A.: The effect of dietary supplementation with trivalent chromium on production performance of laying hens and the chromium content in the yolk, Anim. Feed Sci. Technol., 106, 149–163, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0377-8401(03)00006-3, 2003.
Sahin, K., Ozbey, O., Onderci, M., Cikim, G., and Aysondu, M. H.: Chromium supplementation can alleviate negative effects of heat stress on egg production, egg quality and some serum metabolites of laying Japanese quails, J. Nutr. 132, 1265–1268, https://doi.org/10.1093/jn/132.6.1265, 2002.
Sahin, K., Sahin, N., and Kucuk, O.: Effects of chromium, and ascorbic acid supplementation on growth, carcass traits, serum metabolites, and antioxidants status of broiler chickens reared at high ambient temperature (32 °C), Nutr. Res., 23, 225–238, https://doi.org/10.1016/S02715317(02)00513-4, 2003.
Saikat, S., Sudipto, H., Vijay, B., and Tapan, G. K.: Chromium picolinate can ameliorate the negative effects of heat stress and enhance performance, carcass and meat traits in broiler chickens by reducing the circulatory cortisol level, J. Sci. Food Agric., 88, 787–796, https://doi.org/10.1002/jsfa.3146, 2008.
Saleh, A. A., El-Tahan, H. M., Shaban, M., Morsy, W. A., Genedy, S., Alzawqari, M. H., El-Tahan, H. M., Shukry, M., Ebeid, T. A., El-Keredy, A., Alwutayd, K., Alhotan, R. A., Al-Badwi, M. A. A., Hussein, E. O. S., Kim, I. H., Cho, S., and Abdel-Moneim, A. M. E.: Effect of dietary supplementation of betaine and organic minerals on growth performance, serum biochemical parameters, nutrients digestibility, and growth-related genes in broilers under heat stress, Poult. Sci., 102, 103051, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psj.2023.103051, 2023.
SAS (Statistical analyses system, SAS Institute Inc.): SAS/STAT software, version 9, SAS Institute, Inc., Cary, NC, USA, ISBN 1-59047-243-8, 2002.
Shan, Q., Ma, F. T., Jin, Y. H., Gao, D., Li, H. Y., and Sun, P.: Chromium yeast alleviates heat stress by improving antioxidant and immune function in Holstein mid-lactation dairy cows, Anim. Feed Sci. Technol., 269, 114635, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2020.114635, 2020.
Shapiro, S. S. and Wilk, M. B.: An Analysis of Variance Test for Normality (Complete Samples), Biometrika, 52, 591–611, 1965.
Siegel, H. S.: Stress, strain and resistance, Br. Poult. Sci., 36, 3–22, 1995.
Souza, L. M. G., Murakami, A. E., Fernandes, J. I. M., Guerra, R. L. H., and Martins, E. N.: Influência do cromo no desempenho, na qualidade da carne e no teor de lipídios no plasma sanguíneo de frangos de corte, Rev. Bras. Zootec., 39, 808–814, https://doi.org/10.1590/S1516-35982010000400016, 2010.
Tesseraud, S., Métayer, S., Duchêne, S., Bigot, K., Grizard, J., and Dupont, J.: Regulation of protein metabolism by insulin: value of different approaches and animal models, Domest. Anim Endocrinol., 33, 123–142, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.domaniend.2006.06.002, 2007.
Toghyani, M., Khodami, A., and Gheisari, A. A.: Effect of organic and inorganic chromium supplementation on meat quality of heat-stressed broiler chicks, Am. J. Anim. Vet. Sci., 3, 62–67, https://doi.org/10.3844/ajavsp.2008.62.67, 2008.
Untea, A. E., Panaite, T. D., Dragomir, C., Ropota, M., Olteanu, M., and Varzaru, I.: Effect of dietary chromium supplementation on meat nutritional quality and antioxidant status from broilers fed with Camelina-meal-supplemented diets, Animal, 13, 2939–2947, https://doi.org/10.1017/S1751731119001162, 2019.
Vincent, J. B.: The biochemistry of chromium, J. Nutr., 130, 715–718, https://doi.org/10.1093/jn/130.4.715, 2000
Vincent, J. B.: Is the pharmacological mode of action of chromium (III) as a second messenger?, Biol. Trace. Elem. Res., 166, 7–12, https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-015-0231-9, 2015.
Volvoinskaia, V. R. and Kelman, B. Y.: Modification of the water holding capacity, Method of meat Fd. Industry, Vol. 11, 80 pp., Moscow, 1962.
Wang, G., Li, X., Zhou, Y., Feng, J., and Zhang, M.: Effects of dietary chromium picolinate on gut microbiota, gastrointestinal peptides, glucose homeostasis, and performance of heat-stressed broilers, Animals, 12, 844, https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12070844, 2022.
Wang, S., Hou, K., Gui, S., Ma, Y., Wang, S., Zhao, S., and Zhu, X.: Insulin-like growth factor 1 in heat stress – induced neuroinflammation: novel perspective about the neuroprotective roleof chromium, Stress Bio., 3, 23, https://doi.org/10.1007/s44154-023-00105-1, 2023.
Youssef, I. M. I., Abdo, I. M. I., Elsukkary, H. F. A., El-Kady, M. F., and Elsayed, M.: Effect of dietary supplementation of chromium methionine chelate on growth performance, oxidative stress, hematological indices, and carcass traits of broilers chickens, Trop. Anim. Health Prod., 54, 267, https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-022-03260-1, 2022.
Short summary
This study investigated the effect of organic and inorganic chromium supplementation on growth and nutrient digestibility in chickens raised under chronic heat stress. The results show that 400 ppb organic chromium and 100 ppb inorganic chromium improve growth and protein digestibility. The use of organic chromium has demonstrated greater effectiveness, suggesting that it could be a useful strategy for nutritional management under adverse climatic conditions.
This study investigated the effect of organic and inorganic chromium supplementation on growth...