Effect of sow prolificacy and nutrition on preand postnatal growth of progeny – a review

Weakened growth and development of embryos as well as of fetuses or their organs (IUGR) show a relationship with increasing sow fertility. When aiming to increase birth weight in piglets and reduce within-litter variation in piglet body weight, efforts should be made to maintain a favourable maternal environment (uterus-placenta-embryo). Intrauterine undernutrition can be limited through the hormonal and/or nutritional treatment of pregnant sows. This has an effect on prenatal myogenesis, resulting in better development of skeletal muscles, higher birth weight of piglets, and progression in postnatal growth rate.