Phenotypic and genetic variability of estimated growth curve parameters in mice

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.