Effects of Dietary Inclusion of Herbal-Mix Foliage Meals on Morphological Parameters, Haematological Indices, Ileal Microbial Counts, and Ham Muscle’s Mineral and Lipid Profile of Pigs

This study i nvestigated the dietary effects of herbal-mix leaf meals on morphological and haematological indices, ileal microbial c ounts, ham muscle’s minerals and lipid profiles of pigs. Fifty-four, eight-week-old Large White pigs of both sexes with  mean weight of 14.83±0.10 kg were divided into 3 treatments and replicated in triplicates of 6 pigs. Three diets (cont rol, moringa-basil, and neem-basil) were formulated to meet the pigs’ nutritional needs as recommended by National Research Council (NRC). Feed and water  were supplied ad libitum throughout the 12 weeks. At the end of the study, 2 pigs per replicate whose weights were  close to replicate means were fasted for 16 hours, blood samples were collected to determine haematolog ical response, thereafter, slaughtered by neck decapitation. The left ham muscle was harvested for pork mineral and  lipid profile determination. Data derived were analysed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) as obtained in  SAS. Results showed significantly higher packed cell volume, haemoglobin, and red blood cells in diet with moringa-basil. Significant lower monocyte and high-density lipoprotein  were documented for pigs on neem-basil diet. Pigs on the neem-basil diet had higher potassium of 69.33±3.35  mg/100g compared to 58.33±1.79 mg/100g noted for pigs on moringa-basil diet. Conversely, pigs on moringa-ba sil diets had higher sodium and calcium values. Lower triglyceride values were obtained in pork-fed herbal-mix diets  compared to those on basal diet. It can be concluded that pigs fed a moringa-basil diet showed higher haematologic al indices, sodium, calcium, and HDL levels, indicating improved nutritional status, metabolic efficiency, and physiological stability that may enhance growth. Moringa–basil leaf meal can partially replace costly plant protein sources in pig diets, reducing feed costs while maintaining optimal health and physiological functions in pigs.