Vol. 9, Special Issue 1, Part A (2025)

Weaning stress severely impacts the post weaning health of piglets by effecting digestion and absorption of different nutrients. Enzymes, minerals and electrolytes are vital for optimum metabolism and maintenance of growth as well as health of piglets. Present study describes the effect of dietary inclusion of Moringa oleifera leaf powder (MOLP) on the status of metabolic enzymes, minerals and electrolytes of weaner piglets. Eighteen (18) piglets weaned at 28 days of age were grouped as control, treatment-I and treatment-II with six (6) piglets in each group. The control group was fed only basal feed; while, treatment-I and treatment-II were fed basal feed with inclusion of MOLP @ 1% and 2%, respectively. The feeding trial was conducted for six weeks. Blood samples were collected on day 28 (day of weaning), day 42 (two weeks post weaning), day 56 (four weeks post weaning) and day 70 (six weeks post weaning) from each piglet of all three groups for estimating the different parameters. Data generated through the study revealed that the activities of metabolic enzymes viz. alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), creatine kinase- myocardial band (CK-MB) decreased significantly in the treatment groups, while the activity of gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) increased significantly. Nonetheless, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity did not alter much amongst the experimental groups. The level of calcium (Ca) was slightly lower, but inorganic phosphorus (Pi) level was significantly higher in the treatment groups. However, the variation observed in magnesium (Mg) level was very minimal. Amongst the electrolytes, the concentration of sodium (Na) and potassium (K) in the treatment groups were comparable to those of control group; while concentration of chloride significantly hiked in the treatment groups during the period of study. Thus, it is evident that dietary inclusion of MOLP led to alteration of metabolic enzymes, mineral and electrolyte profile, which in turn signify potential role of MOLP in improving post-weaning health of piglets.