ORIGINAL PAPER
The number of piglets born with the intrauterine growth
retardation syndrome may vary depending on the season
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1
Center for Translational Medicine Warsaw University of Life Sciences - SGGW, Nowoursynowska 100, 02-797 Warsaw, Poland
2
Pig Farm, Kiełczew Smużny 62-600, Poland
Publication date: 2026-03-24
Corresponding author
R. Zabielski
Center for Translational Medicine Warsaw University of Life Sciences - SGGW, Nowoursynowska 100, 02-797 Warsaw, Poland
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ABSTRACT
Intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) is a phenomenon that
occurs in mammalian foetuses due to a reduced placental transfer of nutrients
from the mother, most often associated with chronic stress exposure in sows
during the second and third trimester of pregnancy. The aim of the present study
was to investigate the frequency of IUGR in relation to parity and seasonal
variation in climate parameters, including temperature, humidity, and light
conditions in the gestation area. The study was conducted on a production
farm with strict biosecurity and animal health management. Pig neonates were
identified as IUGR based on established criteria, including birth body weight and
head morphology. The frequency of IUGR pigs in a litter increased with parity,
from null in primiparous sows to 13.3% in multiparous sows (>7 gestations). The
lowest frequency of IUGR neonates (stillborn and live-born) was observed in
summer, whereas the highest proportion was recorded in autumn. In conclusion,
significant differences in the frequency of stillbirths and live births of piglets with
IUGR were demonstrated at different times of the year, and it was hypothesised
that reduced daylight duration could contribute to this effect.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
The Authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.
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