The effects of rearing-temperature on body conformation and organ size in young pigs

Piglets were weaned at 14 days of age and subsequently reared for 23, 35, 42 or 59 days in a cold (10 degrees C) or a warm (35 degrees C) environment. They were fed to grow at the same rate by feeding cold-reared pigs more than warm-reared pigs. The external surface area, the surface area of the nasal cavity and the length of extremities were greater in warm- than in cold-reared pigs. Likewise, the mass of the skin with subcutaneous fat was greater in warm-reared pigs. The mass of the heart, liver, kidneys, stomach and small intestines was greater in cold- than in warm-reared pigs. There was no difference in the mass of the muscle, spleen, lungs, and large intestine between the two groups.