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Characterization of Response to Selection for Growth and Maternal Ability in Laboratory Mice¹

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University,^,3 Blacksburg 24061

Abstract

The crossfostering technique was used to characterize genetic and postnatal maternal effects upon preweaning and postweaning growth traits in lines of mice which had been subjected to selection for 11 generations for increased body weight gain from 21 to 42 days, for increased 12-day litter weight and an unselected control respectively. There were 76 crossfoster groups formed from 228 litters.

Offspring from the lines which had been selected for increased 12-day litter weight generally showed greater genetic ability for preweaning growth than either the control or the postweaning gain lines. Dams from the 12-day litter weight lines were also superior in maternal ability. In fact, response to selection for increased 12-day litter weight was characterized by similar portions of increased genetic ability to grow before weaning and increased mothering ability in the dams. Offspring from the lines selected for increased postweaning growth rate were genetically superior to control line offspring for growth during the preweaning period.

¹ Published with the approval of the Director of the Division of Animal and Veterinary Sciences.

² The technical assistance of Mrs. Judith Sutphin is gratefully acknowledged.

³ Department of Dairy Science.