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Review
. 2025 Apr:91:106917.
doi: 10.1016/j.domaniend.2025.106917. Epub 2025 Jan 16.

Utero-placental adaptations in response to intrauterine growth restriction in swine

Morgan S Clemens  1 , Maria F Tyree  1 , Claire Stenhouse  2
Affiliations
Review

Utero-placental adaptations in response to intrauterine growth restriction in swine

Morgan S Clemens et al. Domest Anim Endocrinol. 2025 Apr.

Abstract

Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is a common condition in swine associated with high piglet mortality and morbidity that develops in early gestation. This review article explores differences in uterine and placental tissues associated with IUGR fetuses compared to their normally-grown littermates at different stages of gestation. Specifically, we will review the available knowledge to date describing differences in 1) structure, 2) cellular apoptosis and proliferation, 3) adhesion, and 4) angiogenesis in endometrial and placental tissues associated with IUGR fetuses across gestation. Improved understanding of the mechanisms regulating IUGR is essential for the development of strategies to minimize the impact of IUGR in swine operations, thus improving reproductive efficiency and animal welfare.

Keywords: Intrauterine Growth Restriction; Pigs; Placenta; Pregnancy; Uterus.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of competing interest The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

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