Correlation between direct and maternal genetic effects on body weight in mice

A new method to estimate the correlation between additive direct genetic effects (Ao) and additive maternal genetic effects (Pm) on body weight was devised to apply to crossfostering data in mice. The correlation between Ao on body weight at 42 days (adult age) and Am on body weight at 12 days (preweaning age) was estimated as 0.561. The nature of this correlation was defined genetically.