The IGF2 Effect in Young Piglets
BELGIUM - Researchers of the Universities of Leuven and Gent in Belgium, showed that piglets that inherited the IGF2 mutation from the sire produce more IGF2 in muscles.This extra IGF2
production is associated with a higher muscle development. The effect is already present in
young piglets and in early developing muscles such as the masseter muscle.
A better developed masseter muscle can improve colostrum intake that positively influences
neonatal piglet survival. This effect provides a possible explanation for the increased vitality of
piglets sired by boars homozygous for the IGF2 mutation.