Heritability of growth curve parameters of pigs

Abstract

Most of the strategies of breeding plan in animal depend on heritability which is one of the most important genetic parameter. Data from 698 pigs were used to examine the potential usefulness of growth curve parameters as selection criteria for altering the relationship between body weight and age. A logistic growth function was found to be best fitted to model growth through 24 weeks of age. Estimates of asymptotic body weight (K), maximum growth rate (R) and age at point of inflection (t*) have been obtained by non-linear least squares. Phenotypic and genetic parameters were estimated for the estimated growth curve parameters and for body weights through 24 weeks of age. Half-sib model were used for computing genetic parameters. Heritabilities of estimated growth curve parameters were: K (0.301±0.121), R (0.102±0.070) and t* (0.874±0.228).