Differential Effects of Litter Size and Within-Litter Birthweight on Postnatal Traits of Fatty Pigs

Fatty pigs are characterized by a thrifty genotype, adapted to harsh environments based on changes in metabolism and energy saving. Thus, we hypothesized that feto-maternal energy partitioning in large litters might have postnatal effects that might be independent of intrauterine growth restriction...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Vázquez Gómez, Marta, Garcia-Contreras, Consolacion, Pesantez-Pacheco, José Luis, Torres-Rovira, Laura, De las Heras Molina, Ana, Astiz, Susana, Óvilo, Cristina, Isabel Redondo, Beatriz, González Bulnes, Antonio
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2020
País:España
Institución:Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM)
Repositorio:Docta Complutense
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:docta.ucm.es:20.500.14352/7920
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/7920
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:developmental programming
intrauterine growth restriction
pig
postnatal growth
prolificacy
Ganado porcino
Obstetricia veterinaria
3104.08 Porcinos
Descripción
Sumario:Fatty pigs are characterized by a thrifty genotype, adapted to harsh environments based on changes in metabolism and energy saving. Thus, we hypothesized that feto-maternal energy partitioning in large litters might have postnatal effects that might be independent of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) processes. Hence, the current work reported the influence of two effects on postnatal performance and carcass and meat quality of purebred Iberian pigs: (a) the effects of the number of piglets in the litter (high vs. low litter size), and (b) the effects of birthweight (low (LBW) vs. normal (NBW)) in large litters. The results confirmed that NBW piglets born in large litters had differences in developmental patterns of weight, back-fat deposition, and fatty acid (FA) composition when compared to NBW piglets from small litters. These results were different from those found in LBW piglets when compared to their NBW counterparts, which showed an initial asymmetrical growth and altered muscle FA composition at slaughtering. The assessment of FA composition indicated better metabolic status in NBW piglets from large litters than in LBW piglets. These data support the concept that the prenatal environment, even when the individual may cope with it, inescapably affects postnatal life.