Effects of Moringa oleifera leaf meal on Growth Performance, Carcass Traits, Haematological Status, Intestinal Histomorphology, and Estimated Enteric Methane Production in Timor Deer (Cervus timorensis)

Abstract

Moringa oleifera leaf meal (MOL) is a protein-rich functional feed ingredient containing bioactive compounds that may enhance ruminant productivity while mitigating enteric methane emissions. This study evaluated the effects of dietary MOL supplementation on growth performance, carcass characteristics, haematological status, intestinal histomorphology, rumen fermentation, and estimated enteric methane production in Timor deer (Cervus timorensis). Twenty-four clinically healthy male deer (12–14 months old; 28.5 ± 2.3 kg) were assigned to a randomised complete block design and fed a basal diet containing 0, 2, or 4% MOL (dry matter basis) for 90 days. Dietary MOL significantly improved (P < 0.05) productive performance, increasing average daily gain (190 to 245 g/day), hot carcass weight (24.5 to 28.1 kg), and dressing percentage while reducing feed conversion ratio without affecting dry matter intake. Haemoglobin concentration, packed cell volume, and jejunal villus height increased significantly, indicating improved physiological status and intestinal absorptive capacity. MOL supplementation also shifted rumen fermentation toward greater propionate production and a lower acetate-to-propionate ratio, resulting in a 22–34% reduction in estimated enteric methane production based on volatile fatty acid stoichiometry. These findings demonstrate that dietary inclusion of 2–4% MOL enhances nutrient utilisation, supports animal health, and improves production efficiency while reducing the methanogenic potential of rumen fermentation. Therefore, Moringa oleifera leaf meal represents a promising functional feed ingredient for the sustainable nutrition of captive Timor deer. Because methane emissions were estimated indirectly from ruminal fermentation profiles, future studies should validate these findings using direct methane measurement techniques and rumen microbiome analyses.