Morphologic comparison of piglets from first and second litters in chronic ethanol-consuming Sinclair(S-1) miniature swine.

Abstract

Piglets (L-1) from 13 litters farrowed by 1-year-old, first litter alcohol-consuming dams were evaluated for altered morphology, A second group of piglets (L-2) farrowed by 6 second litter alcohol-consuming dams also was evaluated. Mean litter size and birth weight for L-1 piglets were 4.85 and 602 +/- 152 g; mean litter size and birth weight for L-2 piglets were 2.00 and 478 +/- 168 g. Fetal mortality rates for L-1 and L-2 piglets were 15 and 25%, respectively. Anomaly rates observed in fetal deaths were 11 and 100% for L-1 and L-2 piglets, respectively. L-1 anomalies were macrocephaly, microphthalmia, necrosis of bowel, nonexternalization of penile tissue, unascended kidney and unilateral renal hypodevelopment. L-2 anomalies were anencephaly, microcephaly, nonfusion of cranial sutures, macrocephaly, microphthalmia, nonfusion of mandibles, cleft palate, imperforate cloaca, sydactyly and polydactyly.