Phytoestrogens
Desmodium intortum contains phytoestrogens but not of the types responsible for reproductive problems (Wang Weiqun et al., 1994). At the time of writing, no reproductive issues due to Desmodium intortum have been reported (2014).
Tannins
The whole plant of greenleaf desmodium contains large amounts of condensed tannins varying from 3.2% DM (Perez-Maldonado et al., 1996) to 10-12% DM (Getachew et al., 2000; Mbugua et al., 2008). Extractable tannins measured on greenleaf desmodium hay harvested at the late flowering stage were 3.5% DM (Tolera et al., 2000a). In Kenya, total tannins (hydrolysable and condensed) in greenleaf desmodium were up to 30.3% DM (Kanga'ra, 1993). Maybe due to its high tannin content, no cases of bloat have been reported in cattle fed on greenleaf desmodium (as of 2014). Tannins have anthelmintic effects: the prolonged feeding of goats with greenleaf desmodium resulted in the lowest total worm burden and in the lowest per capita fecundity in worms. In Ethiopia, feeding greenleaf desmodium has been suggested for integrated worm management in goats (Debela et al., 2012).