Jeffrey  Vallet

The primary goal of Dr. Vallet’s research is to increase the number of piglets weaned per sow. The number of piglets weaned depends on the number of fully formed piglets at farrowing, the stillbirth rate, and preweaning mortality. The number of fully formed piglets is primarily limited by uterine capacity, and Dr. Vallet’s studies on uterine capacity focus on the role of placental development in the efficiency of nutrient transport to the fetus during gestation. Another set of experiments deals with the role of farrowing kinetics on stillbirth rate. Finally, experiments to determine the role of piglet energy stores on piglet preweaning mortality are planned.