Congenital bilateral renal hypoplasia in Large White pigs

Bilateral renal hypoplasia and/or agenesis was detected in 6 of 26 pure-bred Large White piglets in 2 consecutive litters. The affected piglets were all dead at birth. The defect was characterised by a variable nephrogenic zone beneath the renal capsule and by a greatly reduced number of glomeruli which were hypertrophied. The piglets were born to the same sow but they were sired by different boars. Both boars and the sow were related through their pedigree. A genetic basis for the defect, probably involving a recessive gene defect inherited in a simple Mendelian manner, seems likely.