Considerations about chromium and its effect on the metabolism of fish

Abstract

Chromium is a mineral that exists in different valences. The hexavalent one is considered toxic. For supplemental feed, the used valence is trivalent. Many reports consider the trivalent safe for animals feeding. Chromium works as a potentiator of insulin activity and also provokes some direct or indirect effects on the metabolism of lipids, carbohydrates and proteins. Some studies have shown that the presence of chromium decreases plasmatic cortisol at the time that animals are subject to stress. There are also reports of direct action of chromium on the immune system. About fish, it is believed that organic and inorganic sources can provide positive effects on the activity of insulin, on plasmatic cortisol, on the immune system and on the metabolism of lipids, carbohydrates and protein. This paper aims to show many researches with different species of fish with chromium supplementation, showing changes in plasmatic cortisol, glucose, cholesterol, immunologic system, protein and carbohydrates metabolism.