CASP3 and perinatal asphyxia: Despite necrosis was the primary form of cell death for both sexes, the pattern of cell death differed: while male piglets showed more necrosis (p < 0.0001), apoptosis (p < 0.0001) and caspase-3 activation (p < 0.0001) were higher in females.<h4>Conclusion</h4>Our results suggest that male piglets were globally and regionally more vulnerable than females after HI; further, both the pattern of cell death and the apoptotic molecular mechanisms were sexually dimorphic.<h4>Impact</h4>Clinical data suggest that females might be more resistant to perinatal asphyxia than male newborns.