Fetal and placental development in early gestation of hyper-prolific sows

Modern hyper-prolific sows produce large litters with a high within-litter variation in birth weight and an increased number of low-birth-weight piglets per litter with higher mortality rates and lower growth rates compared to heavier littermates. This study aimed to describe fetal development in hyper-prolific sows, to characterize differences between large and small fetuses, and to determine when within-litter variation in fetal weight can be detected. Forty-seven multiparous sows were blood-sampled and slaughtered at day 28, 33, 45, 50, and 56 of gestation. Number of fetuses were counted, fetal body and organ weights were measured, and the intrauterine positioning was recorded. Length, width, and area of each placenta was measured and the fetus weight/placental weight ratio was calculated. The umbilical cords of the smallest, medium and the largest fetus of each litter were sampled for histological analysis. In total measurements were obtained for 1161 fetuses. The results revealed no difference in fetal survival between the gestational days (P > 0.05). Intrauterine positioning near the cervix significantly reduced fetal weight at day 56 (P < 0.05). Total litter weight and average fetal weight increased with gestational age and individual fetal weight was negatively affected by litter size from day 33 and onwards (P < 0.05). The coefficient of variation for within-litter variation in fetal weight was higher at day 28 compared to the other gestational days (P < 0.05). Relative brain- and heart weights decreased from day 28-56 (P < 0.001). Small fetuses had relatively heavier brains and hearts at day 45, 50 and 56 (P < 0.001). Size of placenta, fetus weight/placental weight ratio and length of umbilical cord increased with gestational age (P < 0.001). There was a positive correlation between size of placenta and weight of individual fetus (P < 0.001), the weight of the fetus was positively correlated with umbilical cord length (P < 0.001) and the umbilical cross-sectional area was correlated to fetal weight at day 56 (P < 0.01). Individual fetal weight was positively correlated to the fetus weight/placental weight ratio (P < 0.001). In conclusion, fetal growth was affected by litter size, placental weight, and -area, and umbilical cord length. Lightweight fetuses were characterized by having placentas with lower weight and area and shorter umbilical cords. Lastly, within-litter variation in fetal weight was detectable at day 28, and the coefficient of variance remained stable from day 33-56.