cit-title-group
Abstract
The intake of adequate nutrients during Therefore, it was the purpose of this exthe early of life is an important factor périmento evaluate the effect of prolonged t in the survival of the neonatal pig. Piglets fasting on the energy reserves of the newsuccumb to starvation more readily than do born piglet and to observe some of the the newborn of many other species (1, 2 ). changes that occur during this period. Thus, an early intake of nutrients appears Criteria studied were moisture, ash, pro to be necessary to supply adequate energy tein, total lipids, glycogen and fatty acids at birth. Blood glucose and body glycogen of the carcass both before and at the end of are rapidly depleted (3, 4) which leaves a period of fasting, and glucose, total lipids essentially no remaining available carbo- and fatty acid composition of the blood hydrates for energy. taken before and at intervals during the Carcass composition and especially car- fasting period, cass fatty acids have received little atten tion in studies of energy metabolism by EXPERIMENTALPROCEDURE neonatal piglets. Little data are available Eight littermate purebred piglets from concerning carcass composition of baby each of four Yorkshire sows were