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Phenotypic and genetic variability of estimated growth curve parameters in mice

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Summary

Data from 1,919 outbred ICR mice were used to examine the potential usefulness of growth curve parameters as selection criteria for altering the relationship between body weight and age. A logistic growth function was used to model growth through 12 weeks of age. Estimates of asymptotic weight (A), maximum growth rate (r) and age at point of inflection (t*) were obtained by nonlinear least-squares. A log transformation was also used to stabilize residual variance. Phenotypic and genetic parameters were estimated for the estimated growth curve parameters and for body weights at 2, 3, 4.5, 6, 8 and 12 weeks of age. Heritabilities of estimated growth curve parameters (obtained with and without a log transformation, respectively) were: A (0.28±0.07, 0.28±0.07), r (0.35±0.07, 0.53±0.09) and t* (0.41±0.08, 0.44±0.08). Estimated genetic correlations suggest that t* may be useful in selecting for rapid early growth without increasing mature weight.

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Author notes

  1. S. D. Kachman

    Present address: Department of Mathematical Sciences, Montana State University, 59717, Bozeman, MT, USA

  2. R. L. Baker

    Present address: Ruakura Agricultural Research Centre, Private Bag, Hamilton, New Zealand

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois, 1207 W. Gregory Drive, 61801, Urbana, IL, USA

    S. D. Kachman, R. L. Baker & D. Gianola

Authors
  1. S. D. Kachman
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  2. R. L. Baker
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  3. D. Gianola
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Communicated by L. D. Van Vleck

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Kachman, S.D., Baker, R.L. & Gianola, D. Phenotypic and genetic variability of estimated growth curve parameters in mice. Theoret. Appl. Genetics 76, 148–156 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00288846

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00288846

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