Effect of trivalent chromium on hepatic lipogenesis by the turkey poult

Trivalent chromium (Cr+3) supplemented to a low-protein diet, 23% crude protein, significantly improved 21--day rate of gain of turkey poults. Hepatic lipogenesis from glucose was increased about 60% by Cr+3 supplementation. The majority of glucose incorporation was for fatty acid synthesis, although Cr+3 supplementation also enhanced synthesis of nonsaponifiable lipid and glycerol (P less than .01). The increased rates of lipogenesis by poults supplemented with Cr+3 did not affect liver lipid concentration. Starvation and refeeding induced a hyperlipogenic overshoot of glucose incorporation into fatty acids and glycerol. Chromium-supplemented poults had increased rates of fatty acid and glycerol synthesis from the glucose substrate, and increased concentration of liver lipid in comparison to control poults subjected to starvation and refeeding. Plasma concentration of free fatty acid was not affected by dietary treatment, but was reduced below basal values by starvation and refeeding (P less than .01). Plasma glucose level was not affected by dietary treatment or starvation, but was increased by refeeding (P less than .01). Apparently Cr+3 increased the rate of conversion of glucose to acetyl-CoA (glucose uptake).