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Selection Response in a Divergent Selection Experiment for Birth Weight Variability in Mice Compared with a Control
Nora Formoso-Rafferty1, Katherine Natalia Chavez2, Candela Ojeda2
1Departamento de Producción Agraria, E.T.S. Ingeniería Agronómica, Alimentaria y de Biosistemas, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, C/Senda del Rey 18, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
Animals : an Open Access Journal From MDPI
|May 30, 2020
Summary
Mice divergently selected for birth weight showed that low birth weight lines had higher survival and litter size. This suggests selection for increased litter size and robustness can improve animal welfare in livestock.
Area of Science:
- Animal Science
- Genetics
- Animal Breeding
Background:
- Birth weight (BW) is crucial in prolific animal production.
- Mice (Mus musculus) serve as a model for prolific species like pigs and rabbits.
- Divergent selection experiments are key to understanding trait variability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the differential responses of mouse lines selected for high, low, and variable birth weight.
- To evaluate traits including birth weight, weaning weight, litter size, and survival.
- To assess the potential application of these findings to livestock breeding.
Main Methods:
- Utilized 17th-generation mice from high, low, and control birth weight lines.
- Analyzed traits: BW, BW variance, BW standard deviation, BW coefficient of variation, weaning weight, litter size, weight gain, and preweaning survival.
- Employed a statistical model incorporating line, parturition number, litter size (LS), and pup sex.
Main Results:
- The low birth weight line exhibited lower BW and weaning weight but higher litter size and preweaning survival.
- The low variability line showed a greater response to selection than the high variability line compared to controls.
- Homogeneity in birth weight was associated with enhanced animal welfare and robustness.
Conclusions:
- Selection for increased litter size and improved survival can enhance animal welfare in pigs.
- Divergent selection for birth weight in mice provides insights into optimizing livestock production traits.
- The low variability line demonstrated significant advantages in welfare and robustness, highlighting the benefits of homogeneity.
