Piglet and placental traits at term in relation to the estrogen receptor genotype in gilts

Liveborn piglets from gilts with estrogen receptor (ESR) genotype AA (95 AA-AA and 91 AA-AB piglets), AB (88 AB-AA, 118 AB-AB, and 37 AB-BB piglets), and BB (97 BB-AB and 89 BB-BB piglets) were compared after farrowing, to examine whether piglet ESR genotype (ESRp) nested within maternal ESR genotype (ESRm) affected placental traits at term, piglet birth weight, and growth until weaning. Furthermore, the relation of birth weight to various placental traits and the relations between placental traits were evaluated relative to ESR genotype. For this study, 62 Large White x Meishan F2 crossbred gilts (18 AA, 24 AB, and 20 BB) were used. The gilts belonged to a population in which the A allele is favorable for litter size. ESRp nested within ESRm did not affect placental length, weight, surface area and number of areolae. ESRp nested within ESRm affected amnion weight (AA-AA amnions were heavier than AA-AB, AB-AA and BB-AB amnions), placental weight after including placental surface area in the model (AA-AB placentae were lighter than AA-AA, AB-BB and BB-AB placentae), placental efficiency calculated as birth weight divided by placental weight (AB-AA placentae were less efficient than AA-AB placentae), and the relations of birth weight to placental weight and birth weight to number of areolae. The found differences imply an interaction of maternal and fetal ESR genotype on placental traits (especially weight and number of areolae) during fetal development. Furthermore, the found effects on placental and amnion weight might be the result of a difference in thickness or vascularization or both. The favorable ESR allele for litter size, i.e. the A allele, appears to be the unfavorable allele for pre-weaning piglet growth. Therefore, further research on ESR in relation to vascularization, weight and thickness of placentae. uterine size, endometrial gland development, and piglet growth is recommended.