Abstract
The aim of this study was to understand the intrauterine biological processes associated with the low litter birth weight phenotype in pigs. Analyses were conducted on reproductive data from a purebred Large White maternal line to identify sows (>2 parities) with repeatable high or low litter birth weight phenotype (HLBWP or LLBWP). A total of 40 sows were selected (n = 20 HLBWP and n = 20 LLBWP) and bred with semen from purebred Large White boars of proven fertility. Sows were euthanized on day 28–30 of gestation (day 29.5 ± 0.6) and samples of placenta and embryos collected. Total number of embryos (TNE), embryonic weight (EW), embryonic viability, and crown-rump (CRL) measurements were recorded, along with the ovulation rate (OR) and allantochorionic fluid volume (AFV). No significant difference was detected (P > 0.05) in OR, TNE, and number of viable embryos on day 30 of gestation between the two groups. There was no significant difference in EW (LLBWP: 0.80 ± 0.05 g; HLBWP: 0.88 ± 0.04 g, P = 0.18) or CRL (LLBWP: 21.5 ± 0.7 mm; HLBWP: 21.9 ± 0.68 mm, P = 0.46). Placental development represented by the average AFV was significantly lower in the LLBWP compared to HLBWP (LLBWP: 131 ± 9.82 mL; HLBWP: 149 ± 9.39 mL, P = 0.03). In conclusion, placental development may be the main factor causing lower BW of entire litters in LLBWP sows.
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