Foetal Growth in the Reindeer

In connection with reindeer, slaughter 348 foetuses were collected at different foetal developmental stages and studied together with 20 full-term 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 observed to retard the foetal growth.