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A mathematical equation for animal growth from embryo to adult

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 September 2010

A. J. Moore
A. J. Moore
Affiliation:
AFRC Animal Breeding Research Organisation, West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JQ
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Abstract

An attempt is made to meet the need for a single standardized growth equation to cover the entire period from conception to adulthood in a wide range of mammalian species. It is suggested that an ideal equation is one which adequately describes the overall shape of a growth curve and, in addition, can be extended or modified to give greater flexibility and higher precision as necessary. The structure of such an equation is discussed and results in the derivation of a logistic relationship between adjustable ‘flexibility’ functions of size and time.

Data from eight species are examined and in both its basic and extended forms the equation is found to give acceptable fits to individual species and to provide a useful mean standardized growth curve for mammals.

Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Production , Volume 40 , Issue 3 , June 1985 , pp. 441 - 453
Copyright
Copyright © British Society of Animal Science 1985

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References

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