Direct and correlated responses to selection for post-weaning weight gain on ad libitum or restricted feeding in mice

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Abstract
Selection for post-weaning weight gain in mice from 21 to 42 days, on either a full or restricted feeding level during this period was carried out for seven generations. Control lines were maintained for each feeding level. The rate of selection response was higher on full feeding due to a higher heritability and a larger phenotypic variance. Realised heritabilities of 0.29±0.05 and 0.19±0.04 for selection on full and restricted feeding respectively, were in close agreement with base population estimates. Selection on full feeding led to positive correlated responses in 21 day weight, 42 day weight, food intake and efficiency between 21 and 42 days, and 42 day tail length, but with little change in reproductive performance. Correlated responses to selection on restricted feeding were reduced 21 day weight, but an increase in 42 day weight and increased efficiency from 21 to 42 days. However, overall reproductive performance fell.