Selection response for litter size at birth and litter weight at weaning in the first parity in mice

Five 60-pair lines of mice were selected for seven generations for the following criteria: number born alive (LSO), random selection of litters (LC), number born alive divided by the weight of the dam at 9 weeks (LSO/DWT), total litter weight weaned divided by the weight of the dam at 9 weeks (LWT/DWT), and weight of litter weaned (LWT). All traits were measured in the first parity only and litters were not standardized. Realized heritabilities for LSO, LWT, LSO/DWT, and LWT/ DWT were 0.10± 0.06, 0.11±0.07, 0.22 ± 0.04, and 0.22 ± 0.08, respectively. Selection response for the two ratio lines was due to correlated responses in the respective numerators, LSO and LWT, as DWT did not decrease. In terms of improving LWT, selection for LWT/ DWT was three times as effective as selection for LSO/ DWT.