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Genetic and phenotypic relationships between food intake, growth, efficiency and body composition of mice post weaning and at maturity

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 September 2010

J. A. Archer ,
W. S. Pitchford ,
T. E. Hughes  and
P. F. Parnell
J. A. Archer
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Science, University of Adelaide, Waite Campus, Glen Osmond, SA 5064, Australia
W. S. Pitchford
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Science, University of Adelaide, Waite Campus, Glen Osmond, SA 5064, Australia
T. E. Hughes
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Science, University of Adelaide, Waite Campus, Glen Osmond, SA 5064, Australia
P. F. Parnell
Affiliation:
The Angus Society of Australia, Armidale, NSW 2350, Australia
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Abstract

Genetic and phenotypic variation in post-weaning growth, food intake, efficiency and body composition of mice post weaning and at maturity, were examined to determine whether genetic variation in efficiency exists and to predict likely responses to selection for increased food efficiency in post-weaning animals. Genetic variation was found for average daily gain, mid-weight, daily food intake and proportion of body fat both post weaning and at maturity. Residual food intake calculated from phenotypic regression had a heritability of 0·27 (s.e. 0·06) post weaning and 0·24 (s.e. 0·08) at maturity, and was very similar to residual food intake calculated using genetic (co)variances, indicating genetic variation in efficiency exists in post-weaning and mature mice. Although the phenotypic correlation between residual food intake post weaning and at maturity was low (0·29), the genetic correlation was moderate (0·60). This suggests that selection for efficiency in young animals will lead to a correlated improvement in maintenance efficiency of mature animals. Genetic correlation estimates suggest that correlated responses in other traits would include a concomitant decrease in post-weaning food intake, a slight increase in weight at weaning, a slight increase in post-weaning fat proportion and little or no change in post-weaning growth. In mature animals there will be an associated decrease in daily food intake and a slight decrease in mature size and body fat proportion. The results suggest that residual food intake of young animals might be a suitable selection criteria for use in livestock species to improve efficiency in young animals and also in the breeding herd.

Keywords

body compositionfood conversiongrowthmiceresidual effects
Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Science , Volume 67 , Issue 1 , August 1998 , pp. 171 - 182
Copyright
Copyright © British Society of Animal Science 1998

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