[Mathematic approximations of mass growth in pig fetuses and comparison with Homo sapiens]

Values for fetal mass growth over unequal time intervals of pregnancy as given by Brune (1972) for the domestic pig are submitted to nonlinear regressions in order to achieve mathematical approximations. Altogether 7 functions of organic growth are considered in their unbound form, as fetal mass growth is extremely slow in the 1st quarter of gravidity thus outruling the necessity of introducing an exact initial value. In contrast to many other investigations into organic growth all functions yield almost equally good results in this case. A comparison of the curves of fetal mass growth, increase and acceleration with those of man show a surprisingly close agreement. Calculation of the values of relative growth for the applied growth functions gives confirmation of this aspect, although the differences between man and domestic pig are deviating due to the functions taken into consideration. Closest junction is gained with the Mitscherlich, Sager and Richards function. For the future work of this kind interest is raised for investigating the properties of other mammals and their interrelations to each other and to man.