Calliandra Leaf Meal Decreased Reproductive Performance of Wistar Rat During Gestation and Lactation

Calliandra, a high protein forage, has the highest content of condensed tannins than other legumes. Tannins decreased the digestibility of nutrients especially proteins. This study aims to determine the reproductive performance of Wistar rat fed calliandra leaf meal (CLM) in the diet during gestation and lactation period. Forty pregnant rats were randomly divided into four groups (control, 10, 17.5 and 25% CLM in the diet). Treatments were given on day 0 of gestation to the day that fetuses were ready to be weaned (21 days old). During the period of gestation and lactation, CLM levels in the diet decreased food intake, final weight, and reproductive performance by decreasing litter size (birth and weaned weight of fetuses) and increasing fetal mortality during lactation. Keywords: calliandra, reproductive performance, gestation, lactation