Foetal growth in the reindeer
Roine, K.; Nieminen, M.; Timisjärvi, J.
Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica 23(1): 107-117
1982
ISSN/ISBN: 0044-605X PMID: 7113860 Document Number: 192675
348 fetuses were collected at different developmental stages from slaughtered females and studied together with 20 newborn calves with respect to weight, crown-rump length, metacarpal bone length and appearance of ossification foci. On the basis of these measurements polynomial growth curves were constructed. Weight gain was most rapid during the last trimester of gestation, but total and metacarpal bone length gain showed only minor acceleration towards the end of pregnancy. Ossification was apparent at an age of about 6 weeks. Undernutrition during late winter was retarded the fetal growth.