The aim of this study was to investigate if giving dietary supplemented polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) to the pregnant sow would increase the cognitive ability of her piglets. Our hypothesis was that sows fed diets with high content of C 18 n−3 PUFA, increasing the possibility of desaturation and elongation towards DHA, would get piglets with improved development of the central nervous system monitored in behaviour, compared to piglets from sows given diets with n−6 PUFA or less PUFA. However, the study did not show a substantial influence of fat content and composition in sow diet on the behavioural development of piglets. In order to draw any conclusions about possible enhancements of the behavioural development of the piglet, in the same ways as reported in other species, more studies need to be performed. Possibly, the behavioural tests need to be refined in order to reflect a prepartum effect of diet.

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