BODY COMPOSITION STUDIES ON THE SUCKLING PIG: I. MOISTURE, CHEMICAL FAT, TOTAL PROTEIN, AND TOTAL ASH IN RELATION TO AGE AND BODY WEIGHT

Abstract

The body composition of 37 piglets from four litters has been determined over the age range from birth to 65 days. Regression lines relating total body water to total body protein and to total body ash have been computed. The data suggest that a marked change in the relative rate of accretion of the major body compartments occurs at an age of approximately 18 days corresponding to a body weight of 5 to 6 kg. This change appears to be associated with a slowing of the absolute growth rate at this time, which presumably arises because the sow can no longer provide for the total requirements of her litter.