Thriving or Striving: Comparing Intra-Uterine Growth Restricted, Low Birth Weight and Normal Birth Weight Piglets within the First 24 Hours.

ABSTRACT: This observational study explored the early-life challenges of intra-uterine growth restricted (IUGR), low birth body weight (LBW), and normal birth body weight (NBW) piglets. The aim was to understand the impact of birth weight and intra-uterine growth restriction phenotype on neonatal survival and behavior. Based on weight and phenotype, piglets were classified as IUGR (n = 32), LBW (n = 34), and NBW (n = 29) immediately after birth. The piglets were litter- and sex-matched. Vitality scores were assigned based on motor activity and breathing and complemented with an assessment of umbilical cord condition, rectal temperature, crown-rump length (CRL), time to reach the udder, time to suckle, colostrum intake, and weight gain over 24 h. Beyond the lower birth weight, re

SUBMITTER: Loyens M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11394454 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature