Effect of Dietary Supplementation of Holarrhena Pubescens Leaf Powder on the Growth Performance, Carcass Characteristics, Microbial Count and Haemato-Biochemical Parameters of Piglets

Abstract

This 60 days experiment was carried out to ascertain the effect of dietary supplementation of Holarrhena pubescens leaf powder (HPLP) on the growth performance, carcass characteristics, intestinal microbial population and some heamato-biochemical parameter of piglets.  A total of 50 cross bred male pig with an initial body weight 9.90 ± 0.28 kg were randomly divided into five groups (G_A, G_B, G_C, G_D and G_E) with five replicates (1 animal per replicate). Feed (Standard) used in this study was Corn-soya based diet compounded with Nutritional Research Council (2012) standard. The first week was a pre-feeding period where piglets were acclimatized and dewormed against parasites and provided unlimited accesses to clean water throughout the experimental period. A completely randomized design method was adopted and piglets in G_A was fed standard diet without HPLP while those in G_B, G_C, G_D and G_E received same diet supplemented with HPLP at 30 g, 60 g, 90 g and 120 g in that order.  Phytochemical screening of HPLP showed that it contained phenols, terpenoids and flavonoids as the most prominent compounds while others include, alkaloids, tannins, saponins and glycosides. Increase in the supplementation significantly improved (P˂0.05) average daily weight gain, average daily feed intake, dressing percentage and reduced feed conversion ratio and mortality among animals. Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Proteus spp, Pseudomonas spp and Staphyllococus spp count were significantly suppressed by HPLC, conversely, Lacobacillus spp increased across the group