Effects of sex on fetal morphometric parameters.

<p>Different superscript letters indicate significant differences among groups (a≠b, P<0.05).</p><p>Mean values (± S.E.M.) for body-size and weight of different structures and organs.</p

Effects of nutritional restriction on maternal weight, adiposity and metabolism.

<p>Different superscript letters indicate significant differences among groups (P<0.01).</p><p>Changes over time of pregnancy in maternal mean values (± S.E.M.) for body-weight, back-fat depth, and parameters of glucose and lipid metabolism.</p

Indexes of glucose and lipid metabolism in piglets at weaning.

<p>Mean plasma concentrations (±SEM) of parameters related to lipid and glucose profile (mg/dl) for treatment (Hydroxytyrosol, HT, <i>vs</i>. Control group, C) and of litter size (2–6 <i>vs</i>. 7–10 piglets/litter).</p

Changes in ADWG (Kg/day ± S.E.M.) of piglets throughout lactation period.

<p>The panel A represents total differences between groups of treatment. Panels B, C and D represent between-treatments differences considering litter size (2–6, 7–8 and 9–10 piglets, respectively). Panels E and F represent within-treatment differences considering litter size in control and treated groups, respectively. Dark blue: Hydroxytyrosol group. Green: Control group. Red: 9–10 piglets/litter. Light blue: 8–7 piglets/litter. Black: 2–6 piglets/litter.</p

Differential effect of hydroxytyrosol supplementation on birth weight of piglets from smaller or larger litters.

<p>Mean values (±SEM) of birth-weight (kg) in litters with 2–6 and 7–10 piglets in hydroxytyrosol-treated and control groups.</p

Ratios of organ-to-total viscera weight at weaning.

<p>Mean values (±SEM) of the relative weight (W) of organs to total viscerae-weight (TV-W) for treatment (Hydroxytyrosol, HT vs. Control group, C) and litter size (2–6 vs. 7–10 piglets/ litter).</p

Changes in body-weight (Kg/day) of piglets throughout the lactation period.

<p>The panel A represents total differences between groups of treatment. Panels B, C and D represent between-treatments differences considering litter size (2–6, 7–8 and 9–10 piglets, respectively). Panels E and F represent within-treatment differences considering litter size in control and treated groups, respectively. Dark blue: Hydroxytyrosol group. Green: Control group. Red: 9–10 piglets/litter. Light blue: 8–7 piglets/litter. Black: 2–6 piglets/litter.</p

Effects of breed and sex on foetal development.

<p>Mean ± S.E.M. measurements and weights of Iberian purebred and lean crossbreed foetuses and selected organs.</p><p>Different letter in superscripts indicate significant differences between breeds (a≠b, p<0.05; c≠d, p<0.01; e≠f, p<0.005; g≠h, p<0.001; i≠j, p<0.0005) whilst different number denotes significant differences between sexes within the same breed (1≠2, p<0.05; 3≠4, p<0.01; 5≠6, p<0.005).</p

Effects of breed on the relative development of foetuses and their organs.

<p>Mean ± S.E.M. ratios of head weight to total body weight (A), of individual weight of selected organs to total body weight (B) and of brain weight to the weights of total viscera and selected organs (C) in Iberian purebred (black bars) and lean crossbreed foetuses (white bars). Asterisk indicate significant differences between breeds (* = p<0.05, ** = p<0.01, *** = p<0.005, **** = p<0.001, ***** = p<0.0005).</p

Effect of breed and sex on parameters related to lipids metabolism.

<p>Mean ± S.E.M. concentrations of triglycerides, total cholesterol, high-density lipoproteins cholesterol [HDL-c] and low-density lipoproteins cholesterol [LDL-c] in plasma and allantoic and amniotic fluids of Iberian purebred and lean crossbreed foetuses.</p><p>Different letter in superscripts indicate significant differences between breeds (a≠b, p<0.05; c≠d, p<0.01; e≠f, p<0.005; g≠h, p<0.001; i≠j, p<0.0005). Different number in superscripts indicate significant differences between sexes within the same breed (1≠2, p<0.05; 3≠4, p<0.01; 5≠6, p<0.005).</p