Genet. Sel. Evol. 36 (2004) 363-369
DOI: 10.1051/gse:2004006

Note

Computing approximate standard errors for genetic parameters derived from random regression models fitted by average information REML

Troy M. Fischer^{a, b}, Arthur R. Gilmour^{c, b} and Julius H.J. van der Werf<sup>a, b

a</sup>  School of Rural Science and Agriculture, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, 2351, Australia
^b  Australian Sheep Industry CRC
^c  NSW Agriculture, Orange Agricultural Institute, Orange, NSW, 2800, Australia

(Received 21 October 2003; accepted 9 January 2004)

Abstract
Approximate standard errors (ASE) of variance components for random regression coefficients are calculated from the average information matrix obtained in a residual maximum likelihood procedure. Linear combinations of those coefficients define variance components for the additive genetic variance at given points of the trajectory. Therefore, ASE of these components and heritabilities derived from them can be calculated. In our example, the ASE were larger near the ends of the trajectory.

Key words: random regression / heritability / approximate standard error / genetic parameter / residual maximum likelihood

Correspondence and reprints: tfischer@une.edu.au

© INRA, EDP Sciences 2004