Issue |
Genet. Sel. Evol.
Volume 34, Number 1, January-February 2002
|
|
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Page(s) | 83 - 104 | |
DOI | https://doi.org/10.1051/gse:2001005 |
Genet. Sel. Evol. 34 (2002) 83-104
DOI: 10.1051/gse:2001005
Food resource allocation patterns in lactating females in a long-term selection experiment for litter size in mice
Wendy M. Rauwa, Pieter W. Knapb, Martinus W.A. Verstegenc and Petronella Luitingba rea de Producció Animal, Centre UdL-IRTA, Alcalde Rovira Roure, 177, 25198 Lleida, Spain
b PIC Deutschland GmbH, P.O. Box 1630, D-24826 Schleswig, Germany
c Animal Nutrition Group, Wageningen Institute of Animal Science, P.O. Box 338, 6700 AH Wageningen, The Netherlands
(Received 14 June 2000; accepted 25 July 2001)
Abstract
Resource allocation patterns, as quantified by residual food intake
(RFI), and the consequences for offspring development were
investigated during lactation in 96 females of a mouse line selected
for 104 generations for high litter size at birth (S-line) and in 87
females of a non-selected control line (C-line). Litters of 45 C-line
dams (Cs) and 48 S-line dams (Ss) were standardised (s) at birth;
other dams (ns) supported total number of pups born (Cns and Sns,
respectively). RFI during lactation was significantly lower in
Sns-dams than in C-line dams and Sns-dams. After weaning Sns-dams
seemed to be able to restore the negative resource situation. Sns-pups
were about 25% less mature than Cns-pups at all times. Maturity was
similar for Cs- and Ss-pups from 2 d in lactation on, and about 18%
and 53% higher than Cns- and Sns-pups. The pre-weaning mortality rate
was significantly higher in Sns-litters (
) than in
Cns-litters (
). The results suggest that S-line dams
allocated considerably more resources to maintenance of offspring than
C-line dams. This was insufficient to provide the offspring with an
adequate amount of resources, resulting in reduced pup development and
increased pre-weaning mortality rates.
Key words: mice / litter size / lactation / resource allocation / residual food intake
© INRA, EDP Sciences 2002