Influence of Tectona grandis leaf supplementation on growth, nutrient digestibility, serum biochemistry, hepatic antioxidant status, and cecal microbial profile in rabbits

• Potential of Teak leaves (TL) in rabbits’ diets was investigated • 10% TL did not affect growth or nutrient digestibility, whereas 20–30% reduced both • TL reduced serum alanine aminotransferase and enhanced hepatic antioxidant enzymes • TL reduced ceca Lactobacillus, Streptococcus aureus and Escherichia coli in rabbits The impact of dietary Tectona grandis leaf meal (TGLM) on growth, nutrient digestibility, serum biochemistry, hepatic antioxidant status, and cecal microbial profile in rabbits was investigated. Seventy-two 42-day-old male New Zealand White rabbits (1130 ± 43 g) were randomly allocated to 18 replicates (three rabbits per replicate) and assigned to one of four dietary treatments: 0% TGLM (TGLM-0), 10% TGLM (TGLM-10), 20% TGLM (TGLM-20), or 30% TGLM (TGLM-30) for 56 days. Rabbits fed TGLM-0 and TGLM-10 exhibited greater feed efficiency and body weight gain compared with rabbits in the TGLM-20 and TGLM-30 groups ( P < 0.05). Dry matter digestibility was higher in TGLM-10 rabbits compared to TGLM-30 rabbits, and ether extract digestibility was highest in TGLM-10 rabbits ( P < 0.05). Crude protein digestibility in TGLM-0 and TGLM-10 rabbits was higher than in TGLM-30 rabbits. TGLM supplementation reduced serum alanine aminotransferase levels, while the TGLM-30 rabbits had higher alkaline phosphatase than the TGLM-0 rabbits. As dietary TGLM levels increased, so did hepatic glutathione peroxidase, catalase, and superoxide dismutase. TGLM reduced cecal Lactobacillus count in a dose-dependent manner, while Escherichia coli and Streptococcus aureus counts were lower in the TGLM-supplemented rabbits. In conclusion, TGLM can be included at 10% in rabbit diets without adversely impacting growth metrics or nutrient digestibility.