Insulin sensitivity in juvenile and adult Large White pigs of low and high birthweight

The evolution of hyper-prolific pig breeds has led to a higher within-litter variation in birth weight and in BW gain during the nursery phase. Based on an algorithm developed in previous research, two populations from a pool of 368 clinically healthy piglets at 6 weeks of age were selected: a low (LP) and a high (HP) performing population and their development was monitored until the end of the nursery phase (10 weeks of age). To understand the cause of the variation in growth between these populations we characterized the LP and HP piglets in terms of body morphology, behaviour, voluntary feed intake, BW gain, and apparent total tract and ileal nutrient digestibility. Piglets were housed individually and were fed a highly digestible diet. At selection, 6 weeks of age, the BW of LP and HP piglets were 6.8 ± 0.1 and 12.2 ± 0.1 kg, respectively. Compared with the LP piglets the HP piglets grew faster (203 g/day), ate more (275 g/day) from 6 to 10 weeks of age and were heavier at 10 weeks (30.0 v. 18.8 kg, all P < 0.01). Yet, the differences in average daily gain and average daily feed intake disappeared when compared per kg BW 0.75 . Assuming similar maintenance requirements per kg BW 0.75 the efficiency of feed utilization above maintenance was 0.1 g/g lower for the LP piglets ( P = 0.09).The gain : feed ratio was similar for both groups. LP piglets tended to take more time to touch a novel object ( P = 0.10), and spent more time eating ( P < 0.05). At 10 weeks, LP piglets had a higher body length and head circumference relative to BW ( P < 0.01). Relative to BW, LP had a 21% higher small intestine weight; 36% longer length, and relative to average FI, the small intestinal weight was 4 g/kg higher (both P = < 0.01). Apparent total tract and ileal dry matter, N and gross energy digestibility were similar between groups ( P > 0.10). We concluded that the low performance of the LP piglets was due to their inability to engage compensatory gain or compensatory feed intake as efficiency of nutrient utilization and feed intake per kg BW 0.75 was unaffected. LP piglets tend to be more fearful towards novel objects. The morphological comparisons, increased body length and head circumference relative to BW imply that LP piglets have an increased priority for skeletal growth.

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

“…This is in line with the findings of others (Poore and Fowden, 2004;Magowan et al, 2011). Poore and Fowden (2004) related the increase in fractional growth rate to improved insulin sensitivity early in life after impaired intrauterine growth. When expressed in g/day, ADFI of LP piglets was lower when compared with HP piglets.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

Identifying the limitations for growth in low performing piglets from birth until 10 weeks of age

Paredes

Jansman

Verstegen

et al. 2014

“…PI) at birth tends to be a better indicator of glucose curve characteristics than birth weight alone. Similar correlations have been observed between low birth weight and low PI in humans (Phillips et al, 1994) and pigs (Poore and Fowden, 2003). As expected, basal insulin appears to be linked to post-weaning growth rate, which has previously been shown in pigs (Weekes, 1986).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 85%

“…Poore and Fowden (2002) showed that basal insulin was reduced in low birth weight pigs but they exhibited a greater insulin response to administration of glucose. It has been postulated that the effects of low birth weight on adult glucose tolerance in humans are due to insulin resistance rather than to insulin deficiency, but a similar situation has not been observed in pigs (Poore and Fowden, 2003). Taken together, these data provide further evidence for the role of developmental programming in utero and genetically determined glucose intolerance (as indicated by the intergenerational effects) but the mechanisms remain to be established fully.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 79%

Intergenerational effects of birth weight on glucose tolerance and reproductive performance

Corson

Laws

Litten

et al. 2009

Women who were themselves small-for-gestational age (SGA) are at a greater risk of adulthood diseases such as non-insulindependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), and twice at risk of having an SGA baby themselves. The aim of this study was to examine the intergenerational pig. Low (L) and normal (N) birth weight female piglets were followed throughout their first pregnancy (generation 1 (G1)). After they had given birth, the growth and development of the lightest (l) and heaviest (n) female piglet from each litter were monitored until approximately 5 months of age (generation 2 (G2)). A glucose tolerance test (GTT) was conducted on G1 pig at , 6 months of age and again during late pregnancy; a GTT was also conducted on G2 pigs at , 4 months of age. G1 L offspring exhibited impaired glucose metabolism in later life compared to their G1 N sibling but in the next generation a similar scenario was only observed between l and n offspring born to G1 L mothers. Despite G1 L mothers showing greater glucose intolerance in late pregnancy and a decreased litter size, average piglet birth weight was reduced and there was also a large variation in litter weight; this suggests that they were, to some extent, prioritising their nutrient intake towards themselves rather than promoting their reproductive performance. There were numerous relationships between body shape at birth and glucose curve characteristics in later life, which can, to some extent, be used to predict neonatal outcome. In conclusion, intergenerational effects are partly seen in the pig. It is likely that some of the intergenerational influences may be masked due to the pig being a litter-bearing species.

“…Similarly, low foetal growth does not seem to be due to low plasma insulin level since the fasting level is similar in LBW and MBW piglets (Table 5). However, even though intrauterine growth retardation does not affect plasma insulin level at birth, it enhances the risk of developing insulin resistance in growing pigs (Poore and Fowden, 2004b) as in humans (Ong and Dunger, 2004). Adult pigs of LBW have a poor glucose tolerance (Poore and Fowden, 2002) that may result from a decrease in insulin sensitivity (Poore and Fowden, 2004b).…”

Section: Insulinmentioning

confidence: 99%

Growth and development of adipose tissue and gut and related endocrine status during early growth in the pig: impact of low birth weight

Morise

Louveau

Huërou‐Luron

2008

With genetic selection, the increase in litter size has led to higher variation in within-litter birth weights in pigs. This has been associated with a reduction in mean birth weights and a rise in the proportion of piglets weighing less than 1 kg at birth. Low birth weight pigs exhibit lower postnatal growth rates and feed efficiency, which may be explained by an inadequate digestion and/or nutrient use as a consequence of prenatal undernutrition. It is now documented that there is a relationship between birth weight and subsequent pattern of growth and development of tissues and organs. During the neonatal period, the rapid somatic growth is accompanied by tremendous anatomical, physiological and chemical composition changes. The present review focuses primarily on the influence of low birth weight on adipose tissue and the gastrointestinal tract growth and development during the suckling period. The importance of the somatotropic axis, insulin, thyroid hormones, glucocorticoids, epidermal growth factor and leptin in the regulation of these developmental processes is also considered.