Effect of dietary supplementation of Moringa oleifera on intake, growth, oxidative stress, and behavioral response in early weaned Landlly piglets.

Abstract

Early weaning is an essential practice in pig farming to achieve better economic returns; however, insufficient nutrition during the early weaning stage can result in poor growth and increased mortality. This study evaluated the effects of Moringa oleifera leaf meal (MOLM) supplementation on intake, growth performance, oxidative stress, behavioral responses, and economic outcomes in early weaned Landlly piglets. A total of 16 Landlly piglets, weaned at 35 days with an average body weight of 8.66 ± 0.38 kg, were used in this study. These piglets were randomly divided into two groups, with 8 piglets in each group. The control group was fed a basal diet, while the treatment group received the same basal diet supplemented with 5% MOLM. MOLM supplementation significantly improved growth performance, with the treatment group achieving a 9.24% higher final body weight and a 17.73% greater body weight gain compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Oxidative stress, measured through malondialdehyde levels, was significantly reduced in the treatment group (P = 0.04), indicating that MOLM mitigated lipid peroxidation and oxidative damage. Behavioral observations revealed a significant reduction in stress-related like belly nosing (P < 0.001). Additionally, cortisol levels were significantly lower in the treatment group by day 14 (P = 0.013). MOLM supplementation resulted in a lower cost of rearing per piglet and a higher net profit. This study concluded that MOLM supplementation not only improved growth performance, reduced oxidative stress and stress-related behaviors but also provided a substantial economic benefit, making it a viable nutritional strategy for improving the profitability in piglet production systems.