Illustration comparing a healthy placenta nourishing a piglet with a stressed placenta affected by reactive oxygen species.

Unlocking Pig Health: How Stress in Pregnancy Affects Piglet Development

Theo Raines in Science & Nature August 2025 • 4 min read.

"Discover the critical role of placental health and the impact of oxidative stress on piglet growth, offering insights for improved breeding and care."

For pig farmers, ensuring every piglet gets off to a healthy start is crucial. Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), where piglets don't grow properly in the womb, affects many litters, leading to weaker animals and economic losses. Understanding what causes IUGR is essential for improving pig health and farm profitability.

A recent study has shed light on how stress during pregnancy impacts the placenta, the vital organ that nourishes developing piglets. Researchers focused on oxidative stress, a condition where harmful molecules called reactive oxygen species (ROS) overwhelm the placenta, causing damage. They explored how this stress affects the placenta's function, particularly its energy production and cell growth processes.

The study looked at key factors such as mitochondrial content, cell cycle progression, and specific protein pathways in the placentas of piglets with and without IUGR. By understanding these mechanisms, breeders can develop better strategies to minimize stress during pregnancy and promote healthier piglet development.

Decoding Oxidative Stress: What It Means for Piglet Development

Illustration comparing a healthy placenta nourishing a piglet with a stressed placenta affected by reactive oxygen species.

Oxidative stress occurs when there's an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants in the body. In the context of pig pregnancy, this imbalance can harm the placenta, disrupting its ability to provide essential nutrients and support the developing fetus. High levels of ROS can damage placental cells, reduce blood flow, and impair the transfer of nutrients, all contributing to IUGR.

The study pinpointed several critical effects of oxidative stress on the placenta:

Increased ROS Production: Piglets with IUGR showed higher levels of ROS in their placentas, indicating significant oxidative stress.
Lipid Peroxidation and DNA Damage: The harmful effects of ROS led to damage of fats and DNA within placental cells.
Reduced Mitochondrial Function: The powerhouses of the cells, mitochondria, were compromised, leading to decreased energy production.
Cell Cycle Disruption: Normal cell growth was hindered, contributing to smaller, less developed piglets.

These findings highlight the importance of maintaining a healthy balance in the placenta to ensure optimal growth conditions for piglets. Addressing oxidative stress could be a key strategy in preventing IUGR and improving piglet health.

Practical Steps for Pig Farmers: Reducing Stress and Enhancing Piglet Health

While the study provides valuable insights into the mechanisms of IUGR, it also opens doors for practical interventions. Farmers can focus on minimizing stress factors during pregnancy through proper nutrition, environmental management, and health monitoring. Supplementing the sow's diet with antioxidants, ensuring a clean and comfortable environment, and promptly addressing any health issues can collectively reduce oxidative stress and promote healthier piglet development. By understanding the science behind piglet health, farmers can take proactive steps to improve their breeding outcomes and enhance the well-being of their animals.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1016/j.repbio.2018.09.002, Alternate LINK

Title: Reactive Oxygen Species Mediated Placental Oxidative Stress, Mitochondrial Content, And Cell Cycle Progression Through Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases In Intrauterine Growth Restricted Pigs

Subject: Developmental Biology

Journal: Reproductive Biology

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Authors: Zhen Luo, Wenli Luo, Shaohua Li, Sen Zhao, Takami Sho, Xue Xu, Jing Zhang, Weina Xu, Jianxiong Xu

Published: 2018-12-01

Everything You Need To Know

What is Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR) in piglets, and why is it a concern for pig farmers?

Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR) occurs when piglets do not grow properly inside the womb. This results in weaker animals and leads to economic losses for pig farmers. Understanding the causes of IUGR is crucial for improving overall pig health and farm profitability, as it directly impacts the number of healthy piglets in a litter.

How does oxidative stress in the placenta affect piglet development?

Oxidative stress in the placenta disrupts its ability to provide essential nutrients to the developing fetus. This condition is caused by an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants, leading to high levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). These ROS can damage placental cells, reduce blood flow, and impair nutrient transfer, ultimately contributing to Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR).

What specific effects of oxidative stress on the placenta have been identified, and how do they contribute to IUGR?

The key effects of oxidative stress on the placenta include increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, lipid peroxidation, DNA damage, reduced mitochondrial function, and cell cycle disruption. Increased ROS leads to damage of fats and DNA within placental cells. Compromised mitochondria result in decreased energy production. Disrupted cell cycle hinders normal cell growth, collectively contributing to smaller, less developed piglets and promoting Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR).

In what ways can pig farmers reduce stress during pregnancy in sows to enhance piglet health and minimize Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR)?

Pig farmers can minimize stress factors during pregnancy by focusing on proper nutrition, environmental management, and health monitoring. Supplementing the sow's diet with antioxidants can help combat oxidative stress. Ensuring a clean and comfortable environment for the sow reduces overall stress levels. Promptly addressing any health issues in the sow can prevent complications that lead to Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR) in piglets. These proactive steps improve breeding outcomes and enhance animal well-being.

How does compromised mitochondrial function within the placenta, due to oxidative stress, impact overall piglet health and development?

Oxidative stress leads to reduced mitochondrial function in placental cells. Mitochondria are the powerhouses of the cells, and when their function is compromised, energy production decreases. This lack of energy impairs the placenta's ability to effectively transport nutrients and oxygen to the developing piglet. Consequently, the piglet may experience stunted growth and development, increasing the likelihood of Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR) and potentially affecting its long-term health and vitality.