Supplementation with chromium picolinate reduces the incidence of placental retention in dairy cows

A test with two groups (n for each group = 25) of Holstein cows was conducted to evaluate the effects of chromium picolinate (CrPic) on the incidence of placenta retention (PR). Organic chromium supplementation, equivalent to 3.5 mg Cr d(-1) per cow, administered during the last 9 wk of pregnancy, decreased nearly four times the incidence of placental retention observed in unsupplemented cows (16% vs. 56%, P < 0.05, chi square test). Calf body weight (BW) at birth was similar in both groups (without Cr = 43.92 +/- 0.75 kg vs. Cr supplementation = 44.26 +/- 0.84 kg).