EFFECT OF LOW BIRTH WEIGHT ON THE SMALL INTESTINAL DEFENCE FUNCTION IN NEONATAL PIGLETS

摘要

Genetic selection for hyperprolific sows, in order to increase litter size and profit, has resulted in a larger within-litter birth weight variation and also a higher number of low birth weight (LBW) piglets (i.e. a birth weight less than 1 kg). It isknown that a low birth weight in piglets correlates with reduced growth performance and reduced carcass quality (Martineau and Badouard, 2009). In addition, it negatively affects development and function of the small intestine (Xu et al., 1994; D'Inca et al., 2011). Moreover, it has been shown that stress-responsible genes were affected by a low birth weight (Liu et al., 2008). However, little is known about the effect of low birth weight on the expression of HSP70 in the small intestine of neonatal piglets.