Short- and long-term influence of perinatal dexamethasone treatment on swine growth

The objective was to evaluate the effects of perinatal dexamethasone (Dex) treatment on postnatal growth in pigs. Experiment 1: 42 piglets were assigned according to birth weight and sex to receive either Dex (1 mg/kg body weight) or sterile saline (Control; equivalent volume) i.m. within 1 h of birth. Body weights were recorded weekly and at sacrifice (day 18). Birth weights (1.43±0.05 kg) did not differ between treatment groups ( P>0.19). At day 18, Dex pigs were heavier than Control pigs (5.46±0.24 and 4.45±0.26 kg, respectively). Serum IGF-1 was 17.3% higher in Dex pigs ( P0.34) between Dex (89.9±1.17 kg) and Control pigs (88.6±1.36 kg). Overall, Dex enhanced growth in pigs from birth to market weight with minimal effects on carcass and meat quality.