Growth performance, feed conversion efficiency and blood characteristics of growing pigs fed on different levels of Moringa oleifera leaf meal

Abstract

To determine the effects of inclusion, at different levels of Moringa oleifera leaf meal (MOLM) in growing
\npig diets on pig’s daily feed intakes (DFI), growth performance, feed conversion efficiency (FCE),
\nhaematology and plasma lipid indices, a total 24 pigs aged 2.5 months old were selected and assigned
\nto 4 treatment diets (T) containing: 0% (T1), 3% (T2), 6% (T3) and 12% (T4) MOLM concentrations, each
\nwith 2 replications of 3 pigs. The DFI and weekly pig weights were monitored for 7 weeks, after which 2
\nsets of blood samples were drawn from 2 pigs per replication for haematology and serum lipid
\ndetermination. The DFI for the T4 (3.16 kg) was significantly higher than T1 (2.90 kg), T2 (2.61 kg) and T3
\n(2.54 kg). Pigs in T2 had significantly higher daily weight gains (0.836 kg) compared to T1 (0.807 kg), T3
\n(0.810 kg) and T4 (0.810 kg) groups. Furthermore, pigs in T2 and T3 had significantly higher FCE (31.57
\nand 31.23% respectively) compared to T4 (28.05%) and T1 (30.31%). Inclusion of MOLM in the diet
\nsignificantly increased haemoglobin concentration only to the level of T3 (14.70 g/dL) after which there
\nwas a reduction in T4 (12.70 g/dL). Higher mean corpuscular volume was also observed for T1 (60.0 fL)
\ncompared to T3 (52.30 fL). MOLM diet also improved the white blood cell counts; 16.70×109
\n/L in T2
\ncompared to 14.50×109
\n/L from T1. Total cholesterol in T2 (2.80 mg/mL) were significantly reduced
\ncompared to T1 (3.90 mg/mL). This implies, MOLM at lower levels (<6%) in the diet improves
\nhaemoglobin concentration, white blood cell counts and exhibits hypocholesterolemic effects, thereby
\nimproving growth performance of the animals.