Patterns of fetal growth within Large White x Landrace and Chinese Meishan gilt litters at three stages of gestation

Low birthweight piglets have an increased incidence of mortality and morbidity. As there are few opportunities to remedy the detrimental consequences of low birthweight after birth, it is important to understand the nature of fetal growth retardation and to identify when low birthweight fetuses deviate from the growth trajectory of their normally grown siblings. The aims of this study were to identify the nature, timing and possible causal factors influencing inadequate fetal growth in Large White x Landrace (LW) and Chinese Meishan (MS) gilts at three stages of pregnancy. Thirty-six per cent of litters contained inadequately grown fetuses. Both intrauterine-growth-restricted (IUGR) and small-for-gestational-age (SGA) fetuses could be identified as early as Day 30 in MS and LW litters and the percentage of litters containing inadequately grown fetuses was similar throughout gestation. MS fetuses, placentas and piglets had less within-litter variation in weight at all stages studied. Inverse relationships were observed between litter size and both minimum and mean weights of MS neonates. No other relationships between fetal size and either uterine position or litter size were observed.