Increasing litter size has long been a goal of pig breeders and producers, and may have
implications for pig (Sus scrofa domesticus) welfare. This paper reviews the scientific …

The main objective of this review is to provide current information regarding non-infectious
risk factors associated with stillborn piglets. These factors can be roughly categorized as …

The aim of this study was to identify risk factors for stillborn piglets at sow level in commercial
pig herds in northern Belgium. In total, 545 sows of 22 pig herds were included in the study …

The aim of the study was to identify the detailed impact of the season, parity and breed on
reproductive performance of sows. The experimental material consisted of 2100 sows, in 3 …

Abstract The concept of Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) addresses,
from a large set of epidemiological evidences in human beings and translational studies in …

Genetic parameters for survival at birth, litter size, birth weight and its variation within litter
have been estimated in dam (D1, D2 and D3) and sire lines (S1 and S2) and genetic …

Background The mechanism by which Meishan (MS) sows are superior to white crossbred
sows in ovarian follicle development remains unclear. Given gut microbiota could regulate …

Ovulation rate is an extremely important factor affecting litter size in sows. It differs greatly
among pig breeds with different genetic backgrounds. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) …

Background Reproductive efficiency has a great impact on the economic success of pork
production. Gilts comprise a significant portion of breeding females and gilts that reach …

Background Postnatal piglet survival is important both in economic and animal welfare
terms. It is influenced by the piglet's own direct genetic effects and by maternal genetic …