IISSN 0704-3716
CANADIAN TRANSLATION OF FISHERIES AND AQUATIC SCIENCES
No. 4777
Understanding growth patterns by application of non-linear growthmodels to body measurements of female Japanese black cattle
,by
F. Mukai, Y. Wada, K. Namikawaand K. Tanase
Original Title: Kuroge washu meushi no taisokuteichi e no hisenkei hatsuikumoderu no atehame ni yoru hatsuiku yoso no haaku
From: Nippon Chikusan Gakkai-Ho 51: 247-255, 1980.
Translated by the Translation Bureau(RAY/PS)Multilingual Services Division
Department of the Secretary of State of Canada
I.
Department of Fisheries and OceansNorthwest Atlantic Fisheries Centre
St. John's, NFLD
' 1981
23 pages typescript
Into - En Translated from - Traduction de
'tjaPalleSe English
DATE OF PUBLICATION DATE DE PUBLICATION
Volume Year Année
Issue No. Numéro
2 4 51 1980
Publisher - Editeur
Japanese Society of Zoo-technical Science
Place of Publication Lieu de publication
Page Numbers In original Numéros des pages dans
l'original
247-254- Number of typed pages
Nombre de pages dactylographiées 24
Requesting Department Ministère-Client Notre dossier no
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Your Number Votre dossier no s .. ;. s..;
;7 • , ;
r 111dÉig Secretary Secrétariat 19` . of State d'État
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TRANSLATION BUREAU BUREAU DES TRADUCTIONS
LIBRARY IDENTIFICATION — FICHE SIGNALÉTIQUE
Author - Auteur
MUKAI Fumio, WADA Yasuhiko, NAMIKAWA Kiyoshi, TANASE Katsumi Title in English or French - Titre anglais ou français
Understanding Growth Patterns by Application of Non-Linear
Growth Models to Body Measurements of Female Japanese Black Cattle Title in foreign language (Transliterate foreign characters) Titre on langue étrangère (Transcrire en caractères romains)
Kuroge Washu Meushi no Taisokuteiài e no Hisenkei Hatsuiku
Moderu no Atehame ni yoru Hatsuiku Y8s8 no Haaku Reference in foreign language (Name of book or publication) in full, transliterate foreign characters. Référence en langue étrangère (Nom du livre ou publication), au complet, transcrire en caractères romains.
Nihon Chikusangakkai -H5
Reference in English or French - Référence en anglais ou français
Japanese Journal of Zootechnical Science
Branch or Division SIPB .. Direction ou Division
Translation (initials) Traducteur (initiales) RAY / ".2L;
Person requesting Demandé par — :3 1
Date of Request June 23, 1981 Date de la demande
(reçuest received Sept. 17, 1981)
* niternnte title : The fittinc of the nonlinear crowth models for describine rowti
patterns of body weieht and meaaurements in Japanese black female culve:i
•
SEC 5-111 (81/01)
TRANSLATION BUREAU BUREAU DES TRADUCTIONS
• [.;
e Secretary Secrétariat of State d'Ètat
MULTILINGUAL SERVICES DIVISION — DIVISION DES SERVICES MULTILINGUES
Client's No.—No du client Department — Ministère Division/Branch — Division/Direction City — Ville
Piulierieu and Oceanu 8ra OtLmul.
Bureau No.—Irdu bureau Language — Longue Translator (Initials) — Traducteur (Initiales)
860927 Japanese RAY / PS
UNDERSTANDING GROWTH PATTERNS BY APPLICATION OF NO INEAR
GROWTH MODELS TO BODY MEASUREMENTS OF FEMALE JAPANESE BLACK
CATTUE
MUKAI Fumio, WADA Yasuhiko, NAMIKAWA Kiyoshi and
TANASE Katsumi *
Kyoto University Faculty of Agriculture, Kyoto 606
*Gifu Prefectural Breeding Stock Farm, Kiyomi-mura,
Gifu Prefecture 506-01
(Rec'd. 30 .July 1979)
ABSTRACT
For the purpose of obtaining basic data to grasp growth
patterns of female Japanese Black cattle in simple paramet-
ers, the Brody, Logistic, Gompertz, von Bertalanffy and
Richards growth models were applied to body weight and to n.
other biometric valucs measured over a period of time after Eke_
weaning of 97 breed cows in three groups supplied to the
Gifu Prefectural Breeding Stock Farm beginning in 1968. We ,(L- Lo
determine the optimum model ) and an examination was
SEC 5-25T (Rev. 6/78)
2
made of source district differences among the parameters
estimated. With the exception of Richards, the number of
fitted indivïduals in all models was 80 (82%) or more for
body weight, body height, chest girth, chest depth, croup
length and hip width, and 50 (52%) or below for body length,
chest width, pin bone width, and cannon circumference. Since
the figure for chest width was particularly low, it was
excluded from subsequent analyses. In other words, the
numbers of fitted individuals varied more strikingly between the.
body measurements than among models. When degree of fit is
observed in terms of coefficients of determination, the fig-
ures were 90% or higher except for pin bone width and cannon
circumference. For residual mean squares, the number of
fitted individuals was large .for body weight, chest girth,
chest depth, hip width, etc., and as important biometric figures.
Logistic had the smallest. Negative coefficients were observed
for correlation between parameters for all items measured and
all models among the different mature sizes and maturing
rates. The coefficients of correlation among the parameters
corresponding to each of the models was extremely high, and
the parameters of all models were assumed to reflect the
same growth phenomena. Based on such facts, the application
of Logistic was found more suitable for biometrics of female
cattle for which growth records only after weaning were avail-
_trt.tmlatorle note : literally : ucontribution rabu"; ague herealter
3
able. An examination of regional differences in the paramet-
ersEstimated from Logistic showed significant differences in
mature size for croup length, hip width and thurl width, and in
maturing rate, aside from body length and thurl width. This
suggests the existence of pronounced regional differences
in the growth patterns of biometric figures.
The selection of beef cattle is based on weight at so
many months of age or the rate of growth within a certain
period. A positive hereditary correlation has been observed l) at birth,
between weight and growthvat weaning and at the age of 12
months. This is thought to be an inevitable result of the
increasing size of breeding females. The increasing demand
for the raising of breeding females, and.the fast, efficient
fattening of beef cattle are at cross purposes. In this
connection there has been some discussion2 ' 3) on the optimum
size for females from the standpoint of production efficiency
and attempts have been made to optimize the growth pattern
up to maturity through selection. 4,5)
The evaluation of proper size and growth of beef cattle
depends on comparisons of what are presented as normal
growth figures for the various breeds, but as a precondition
for making effective use of these specifications, the
_growth patterns must be of the same form for all individual
animals. It is evident, however, that striking variations
4
occur in the growth patterrs of individual beef cattle in the
period between birth and maturity. It follows that a quan-
titative grasp of the dynamic processes observed over time in
individual growing beef cattle is important. In the past,
because of the difficulty in collecting data and computational
limitations, research on growth has centred on cross-sectional
average;•growth. Figures were obtained from the observation
of large numbers of animals at different stages of growth,
which were then compiled and treated as lifetime growth.
Body weight was the prime focus of investigation. Few longi-
tudinal studies, i.e., examinations of individual growth,
were made, and problems remained concerning our grasp of
variables in that attribute of living thing called growth.
There was some attention given in actual practice to
the size of the hindquarters of the females as related to
difficulties in parturition and it was reported6'7) that the
development pattern of the hindquarters varied with different
breeds.
It was important, from this standpoint, to have a fun-
damental report on the growth pattern of Japanese Black
cattle in terms of individual growth, but in view of the
production system in Japan, growth records are often limited
to the period after weaning, or when the animal enters the
calf market, and the lack of data representing the first
stages has an effect on the varieties, etc., for suitable
p. x11;
5
models. In consideration of these conditions, these studies
applied a number of non linear growth models to growth records
of measurements taken after weaning to try to find a suitable
model. By looking at regional differences in estimated para-
meters, a further treatment has been made of their effective-
ness as guidelines expressing growth patterns.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
WC re
Ninety-seven head of female Japanese Blacks, v supplied for
breeding at the Gifu Prefectural Breeding Stock Farm. Measure-
ments of body weight, body height, withers height, body length,
chest girth, chest depth, chest width, croup length, hip
width, thurl width, pin bone width, and cannon circumference
were made and growth was recorded at about one-month inter-
vals.
Groups of females
were bro4ght in from Gifu in March and November of 1968, from
Okayama in July of the same year, and Tottori in the same
November. The number of animais and the measurement conditions
are as shown in Table 1. The Tottori females were aged 7.7
months at the startor measurements, significantly younger
than those from the other prefectures.
These females were raised in groups for experiments and
-tests on mass raising of breeding cattle. Groups of 25 were
raised in open barns and all animals were dehorned to prevent
4
6
a, b:
%nhlr 1 . The outltno of mat 'rials.
DisU•ictNo. of No. of Age of munths
anintals records Initial Ftnai l'criou
tiilu . 3.•., ! .311 10. . t . 1.5" :,U. t> ^ . •Ih •k). t• . ir.
Tollttri i ! . •1•1 %. .. :' l". <,n .11.
Okayama ;f, ..c+.42 IG.ï .21' hI.1 t..64 40.v .c,•:
Total ',; . 1 . ^ . .^.•i Q. •1 ! . 12 N"). •t ^ .07 •t 1. t' t . : n
Ntctlns with dlfft•trnt sulmrMripts are s:il;nilic:lnt ^ diffrrcnt tf'
Table L'. Equationa fnr lit•e g rowth models :,,u: derived t^.,.,.
\In(lcl I?^luatutn,a Y,-
0. I1Ci).
Mal tire Rate of Intlcctionsize nuiturinl; point
Kicltnl, A . I. . lit. ,,) ,1 A I,
a: Y. ^Ir.r at cltit• t. A. It, k and h! are littc,l parantctcrs.
damage from fighting. Uniform feed intake is controlled by
linked stanchions during feeding. Under a feeding regime
averaged over a period of 11 years, they were given 16 kg
silage and 2 kg rice straw per head per year as rough feed.
As concentrated fodder, they were given 2 kg in the summer
and 3 kg in winter of ordinary commercial mixed fodder.
Grazing was limited to approximately 50 days in the summer.
The five nonl inear growth model equations of Brody,
"Logistic, Gompertzi, von Bertalanffy and Richards were used
It
(Table 2). These are widely used for increases in bio-
logical body measurements and growth models. Size is expres-
sed in each model as a function of time t. When A ra te- oC
(mature size). And k is thevinstantaneous increase in
size, or a function of the spccd of increase with respect
to mature size. This is generally taken to be the rate of
maturing. B is the constant of integration and is the
coefficient determined by Y. at the point where t=0. Our
samples, however, included records for animais only after
the time of weaning, so the biological significance is
shaky. M (form parameter) is affected by the position of by
the point of inflection andvthe size at that point in time,
and is thus determined by the form of the curve. Hartley's 9)
modified Gauss-Newton iteration was appliedlo the biometric
values for each animal to investigate the suitability of
each of the models. When this was done, the initial value
established in order to obtain an iteration solution affects
the iterative frequency and the estimated values of the
parameters, so Wa1dford10) computed initial values using a
determined difference graphic method as a means of estimating
the limit value A from growth curves based on data not
containing the mature size. As iteration solutions for
A, B, k, and Id, the pooling of parameters giving the smallest 80.
residual square sum in 20 iterations was used. Since the
average iteration frequency was in the 17 to 19 range,
Table 3.
• • •
Number of fitted size •age data in 97 cows for growth model,
von Measurement Brady Log ist ic Gompertz Bertalanffy
Body weight 511). 98)' 9b( )8', 9(..i )9, ....I 99)
Withers height 8P. 134) 82( 8. ) 8 ..r ( ' . I 9:. 9 )
}lip height b8 ( (A) 88( ti n , :,, . ,,( 78)
Body lengt 11 • :.( ..(-.1 • 3( 44 • a:.1 ?hi (14, ht.)
Chest girth 97% )(T ) 97 (ICK.1 97(100) ''.'t li,ro
Chetil tIvi)th 94., 'a) 94( 9','' 9).;. 9;.) .r:d. 98 r
Ches1 with 1r : ( :.) 12( 1: . ) .i( r 1.:( 1.1
CI oup length 8» 'Or fe.( 8 H i( 87) ))« 9.))
11 ip wi(11 li 97( (VA 97(10(q '.',-( 1 ) )) 'r7( tutu
Thud whit h 711. 7:r Th( 77, (dig 7o i Ul t 84 )
l'in bone width aL., «di i *.%24 d.i', '..( .11)
Cannon circumference 2dt 2.i, -2n( 27. .:1( ,:el .7( :1?-31
a: Value in parent heses is fraction of fit ted animals Mi.
24 ))
there was no great difference between the models and the
biometric values. Model selection was based on the
number of fitted animals, goodness of fit, and the cor-
relation betweeniarameters in the model. The difference in
parameters for the various prefectures was treated as a
factor causing regression to differences in age at the
time of initial measurement, and Harvey's Least-Squares VarlahLe. 1) Analysisl method was used. Calculations were made with
-Kyoto University Large Computer Centre's FACOM M-190.
8
9
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Fitted individual values for models and biometric values
are as shown in'Table 3. Richards has no fit at any area wa›
measured, and veliminated from subsequent analysis.
In Richards, the number of parameters (M) affecting the
point of inflection is greater than in other models, which
makes convergence difficult, 12) and usually limits must
be placed on the parameters (Bel, OeMe6). This naturally
makes the conditions required for measured values stringent
as well, and not only the quantity, but the quality of the
measurement -- how much of the growth range does the meas-
urement cover? -- become problematic as a result. Thus,
the main reason the sample cattle in this study were not
fitted for Richards appears to be that records were lacking
for initial growth.
For body weight, body height, chest girth, chest depth,
croup length, hip width, fitting was made for 80 head (82%)
in each model, but the number of individuals fitted for body
weight, chest width, pin bone width and cannon circumference
was small. The number was particularly small for chest
width, which is eliminated from further analysis. Of the
models, von Bertalanffy tended to show the greatest number
of fitted individuals, and Gompertz, the smallest. On the
other hand, there were conspicuous differences in the bio-
metric figures. The causes were, firstly, that the measure-
10ment error varied depending on the place measured, and
6rtWcc-visecondly, there was differential rowth v the different
places measured. Even when measurements were made at
identical monthly intervals, the growth stage varied
from place to place, so the asymptotic lines or points
of inflection hypothesized in this model were not met.
Moreover, another cause of the general impossibility of
fitting was that, as shown in Table 5, there was a rather
high correlation among A, B, and k, producing multicolline-
arity in the variance and covariance for the purpose of ob-num6cr oL
taining least squares solutions and thevmatrix ranks
dropped.
Next, the residual mean squares and coefficients of
determination showing the portion accounted for by the sumsto bbe,.
of the squares due to the model, i.e. "" regression thrvuyhc,ut all
variations, were calculated to show the degree of fitting.
There is an error correlation between measurement values
at contiguous points in time in the growth process, which is
generally regarded as insufficient in determining the
goodness of fit.13) Nonetheless, when the measured values
for each individual and the values estimated from the model
are plotted and checked for systematic error, Logistic'sin sy>temati.: orror.
is smallest " The coefficient of determination was ob-
_served to be decidedly lower in models or measured areas
where systematic error arose. Based on this observation, it
1 1
11. • 411111 1i"I • Ill11 jet
7'able 4. Mean for coefficients of determination and average residual mean squares' for growth models*.
Measurement Brody Logistic Gompertz Ber vtaolial nffy
Body weight 0. 9Ib 0.93' 0.921e O. 92b
559.48 434.22 488.05 509. Fi•1
Withers height 0. 9h 0.95 0.95 0. 91
82* I. 78 I. 74 2. ():1
Hip height 0.93 0.93 0.93 0.92
1.95 1.91 1. 89 2. 01 . -
Body length 0.9I 0.92v 0,92b 0.90'
9.64 8.94 8. 74 9.81
Chest girth 0.91 0.92 0.91
ZO. 65 18.93 1 ,,. 74 .".0...)4
Chest depth 0.92 0.93 0.92 0.92
107 1.89 1.95 101
Croup length 0.92 0.94 0. 94
1.08 0.8ó 0.84 O. 9,.••
flip width 0.96 • 0.96 0.96 • O. 96
1.02 0.91 0.96 u. 98
Tlitirl width 0.90 0.91 0.92 0.91
0.94 0.86 0.83
l'in hone width 0.88 0.86 0.90 tS/
0.95 1. 16 u. 92 %).
Cannon circumference 0. 89 0.88 0.90 C. tia
0. 109 0. 110 0. 109 U. 0)8 • -•
The upper and lower values within each measurement show the coefficients of determination and the average residual mean squares respectively. a: Computed lw poolinjz squared deviations of each individual's size-age observations from predicted values. i.e.. where p is the number of parameters fitted, N is the
Nt. n's Ys.. 2/S' (t) - 13 )
1 1 number of animals and t k the number of sizes fur the j th. aitunal. h, e: \leans within a column with different superscripts are signilleant ly dilferent
1 .1 .: 0.05.
M L4111 1 'd 1 0 Ili: (1. 11M
Table 5. Residual correlations among growth parameters (rom four models'.
Brody (1) Logistic 1 2) Gumpertz (3) von Bertalanffy (4)
A 14 k A 14 k A l k A 14 k
• . 7(' • 9i - . 2:• • . 6t . . 39 - . . 9% . 611
.46 • .:.1b 4 I' 't•
• tt . • Y-I •.i/i .1,; ■
A 1.t.' . 34 •9`.; • . 90 • . 41
• 78 . • 30 .97 . 61 - .30 0, . 68
k 37 .8o 1.00 -.38 .83 -.38 .88 .99 -.60 . 9 I .97
A 1.00 • . 76 .37 1.00 --. 24 -.36 40 * .e-. 61 1.00 -. 4 ■; -.62
-. 26 1.00 -.28 1.00 . 84 . .8.: 1.00 .W
k 1. 00 .31) . 8! 1.00 -.36 .83 . o$ • 1.00
A 1.00 3.8 • -.44 .M
• .. 1.( .t•s - I .88 - • 1.00 .8. 7e .84
k •• • :;8 . bI , 1. (X ) . 38 • I. 00 • 37 • 83 i. 00 .37 . 8$
a: Coefficients above the diagonal represent for weight, and below for withers height which are calculated after adjustment for district and in age effects.
was thought that a certain magnitude of systematic error is
reflected vthe coefficient of determination. Because of
the need to compare the goodness of fit from polynomials
as done in the past, Table 4 shows average coefficients of
determination for the different models. Aside from pin bone
width and cannon circumference, a coefficient of determina-
tion of 90% or more was obtained for all measured items
12
A
I. Il
k
1.
13
even with the models. When the models were compared, a
significant difference was found in body weight and body
length, and Logistic and Gompertz were slightly better than
the others. A comparison of these with the coefficients
of determination for the growth curves by orthogonal poly-
nomial equations seen in average growth in Fukuhara et al14)
shows them slightly lower. In general, in average growth
individual variations due to environment or physiological
conditions cancelled each other out and the coefficient J S tonsr àred to 5r3cluà eta-
of determination was found to be higher ' individual
growth. Thus, it was found possible to
grasp individual variations only in terms of individual
growth, and considering the amount of information obtain-
able from the parameters, the coefficients of determina-
tion obtained seem sufficient.
Moreover, in order to examine in detail a comparison
of tic. the residual mean squares advocated
by Brown et al 12) were computed (Table 4). The number of
individuals fitted for body weight, chest girth, chest
depth, hip width, etc., was large, and for those biometric
figures regarded as important in the growth of beef cattle.
Logistic's residual mean squares were lower and exhibited
', .
^•••, ;. 't:^ LŸ t .•, . , ,^ , .^^(•• ^.7^Î i^C.:iI. rr^t)
:,'^ w:, . r . .!i
lli:V)71)..,.,
Tul,/r a. 1,ray; .+lu:urs mt•ans fur mctturr scizrr rate of mattn'ing stntlmont lis ul age at 9t1':;, tnaturity froul Logistic muclcl.
Mt•.ISUrcment
Iicxly wci);Ilt
1t'itBcrti ht•iy;ht
Thurl %vidtlt
l'in Iloilo wi(ItIj
Cannon circumference
District \o• A k ll. S1A`
G` ü1 427.7 .148' ... ^6.437.3 112" 3U.46
() •136.6 .174" 2;i.1'
(: 7.. I::•1.0 lUl" Ih.l' 3 125. I . 1()(J- 14.8
() 17 125.3 .118, 14. y
123. :11 .I'!.'l' i...:lIt 12•1.2 • 124'
() I. 124.3 . 16U+'
G Ic. 146.4 Uy7 19.tr: :.t. 143. 3 . I U6 - '+, i0 ï 147.8 (K)Y 17.U
G 18•I... 127' It, 1"
1 IA::.+) I
U 20 183. I . It,7''
G vo. r,
1 07.0
O 11 67..+ 1•iJ^ lt.,•r
G , . .^1.O•
lUl'' I ,() : :,(1.. .I:i;r
(i i'/. .1Q:•'^1^ :, I . t,'r , + ^•,
() l :,l)....,, I:'.•l' J.I.t'
(i 1231 i:. 44.01 . 10.', ::l'. 8•,
() 16 4:,.4" .12J 18.0'
G 14 27.7 • 134' 19. t.+I• +6 29.4 098° 4() 28.4 .IS:' :4.8
U
(: '1 I b. y . 141' I•I.',T •:^ 16.0 , I11^ 1n.(,
16.4 .110" 1.1,•,
a•illtin row with cliffcri'nt suprrscripts nre si^;nitic.t:ulvdiffcrcnl l' Il.ti,,. CI: Months of aKr at JIl9„ nuuurit)'• r(^,'l',Urrprcticnt (;ifu, 'l'olturi and Okayurn. ► r:spccti^rl).
14
It
25i.'.
15
superior fitting. Fitting was also observed to be excel-
lent in both the Gompertz and Logistic models for body
height, body length, croup length, and thurl width.
On the other hand, von Bertalanffy's residual mean squares,
which fitted many individuals, were larger. Regarding the
body weights of Hereford and Brahman hybrids, and Jerseys
from birth to selection time, Brown et al 12) made comparisons p..1 1; 1
beiween models similar to those in this report and reported
Logistic's residual mean squares to be the largest. On
the other hand, Mukai et al15) with post-weaning records on
castrated Japanese Black fatting cattle only,found that
Logistic showed excellent fitting, as in this report.
Differences in breed must be considered in connection with it
this kind of disparity an4fmay'be that the measurement range
for the sample animals had no small effect on a model's
goodness of fit. Differences in each of the models occurred ihwevcr, our results a e Ye‘'bOi.C.. t411 e ro 11«•"'t
at the position ottheir points of inflection. v Uutmodels
such as Logistic and Gompertz tended to show better
fitting the later the position of the point of inflection.
It ma y also be that at the age of initial measurement for
our sample animals, the true points of inflection, other
than for body weight, may already have been passed. Thus, the
points of inflection were extrapolated from the models and
- it was hypothesized that Logistic, with the values close
16
to those at the time of initial measurement, i.e., with
the point of inflection at the latest point in time, gave
the better fitting.
The residual correlations among the estimated para-
meters of each model were computed. Fig. 5 shows the re-
. sults for body weight and body height. A positive correla-1n4 a negaL'ive. ohr- be.twctn thc,ir_ at,d. A
tion was found between k and Bvamong the parameters in the
respective models. The relationship
between A and k is especially important for beef cattle.
This indicates that fast-growing cattle have a smaller
mature size. This relationship is in agreement with many
reports12,16,17^ concerning body weight in non-Japanese
breeds.
The models used in these studies were evolved from
different theoretical frameworks, each with its own mature
sizes and rates of maturing. The selection of the optimum
ought to be predicated on the models' parameters' having
the same significance and must be verified using identical
samples for interrelationships of models. Correlations be-
tween A-A, B-B, and k-k for each of the models were O.t37
w^,enor higher for body weight and 1.0 for body height. Evenvthe
correlations between models of A, B, and k were found, the
overall tendency was the same as within the models themselves.
1
These relationships were similar to those for other bio-
metric figures* . In view of this fact, the parameters of
all models were asume.c.4 to reflect roughly the saine growth
phenomena.
A comprehensive evaluation was made of the number of
individuals, the goodness of fit, and their correlative
relations and the Logistic model was found suitable for
application to females for which initial growth records
were lacking as in these sample animals.
So, in order to see whether or not Logistic's para-
meters obtained in this fashion were valid indicators for the
characterization of the growth patterns of individual herds,
an inquiry was made into A, k, and the influence of source
district on the animals at an age equivalent to 90%
maturity.
The reason the source district is mentioned here is
that when the sires and maternal grandsires of the females were eAarbibNet
they were classified as "Hyogo" strain from Gifu prefecture,
"Tottori" and "Okayama" strains from the two prefectlires of
the same names, and the historical growth processes were s. ) bhey w c re. estimated. to have_
considered for herds from each prefecture. ‘' different
genetic structures.
58 -
50
42
34
26
18
20
16 32 48 64 A e in months
16 32 48 64 A e in months
28 7
C. HIP WIDT11(em)
400
320 I--
I.
240 L.
12 16 32 48 64
Age in mnnths
„J.). T1111111.. WIDT11Ien 45
41
37
33
29
25
52
44
/./ 'Id
36
/•
18
4go L.. A. 1101)1' wt.:Harr kg' 60 _ II. CHOUP 1..1.3%.IGT11.em‘
lot 1 i L I t L__1 _ 21 __,....à ..1 .1 • 1
0 16 32 48 64 0 16 32 48 64
Age in months Age in month!.
Fig. 1. Mean growth curves predicted (rom Logistic model.
Gifu; Okayama; • -Tottori:
253
19
At the saine time, with respect to influences regres-
sive to the age of the initial measurements, A was sig-
nificant for body length, croup length and hip width,
and the superscripts drthe bias regression coefficients are
positive only for hip width. Also, k was found significant
for all parts measured, and the bias regression coefficients
were positive except for chest depth and thurl width. This
indicates that the rate of maturing may be estimated higher,
the more advanced the age of initial measurement. At a
90% mature age, the superscript changes sign, but the saine
phenomenon is observed as with k. However, the age of ini-
tial measurement was significantly younger for Tottori
cattle and the effects of the source district were found
to be partially confounding. Thus, further investigation
is required on the effects of differences in initial measure-
ment age on estimated parameter values. At the saine, time,
this also indicates that the effects of initial measurement
age must be taken into account in interpreting differences
between source districts.
Least square averages for A, k and age in months at
90% maturity are shown in Fig. 6 for each source district.
The estimated maturity in each case was within the approp-
riate range compared with normal growth of grazing females
as indicated by Fukuhara et al. 14) A significant difference
p. 2,53
20
(P 0.05) was found in A for measured items in the hindquar-
ters, such as the croup length, hip width, thurl width,
etc., and the animals from Gifu, chiefly "Hyogo" strain
had the smallest hindquarters. There was a significant
difference (P 0.05) in all biometric values for k except
for body length and thurl width. Overall, maturation was
fastest in the orders Okayama, Gifu, Tottori. The age in
months at 90% maturity was youngest in the orders Okayama,
Gifu , Tottori. The trend was similar to the rate of maturing.
A breakdown by measured item shows maturity occurring at a
younger monthly age in withers height, body height, cannon
circumference, with intermediate maturation in croup length,
chest depth, chest girth, thurl width, and pin . bone width,
and slower in hip width and body weight. Kumasaki et all8)
found that the age at which each area reached 90% maturity was
approximately 26 months. In this report it was 22 months
for animals from Okayama, 24 months for cattle from Gifu
prefecture, 27 months for those from Tottori -- so that
cattle from Okayama matured earliest overall. The relation-
ships among such characteristics and the fertility or meat-
producing ability are of interest. A graphic presentation
of the average growth curves by district of origin based
least squares means of parameters for body weight, croup
21
length, hip width and thurl width is given in Fig. 1.
Breed differences in body weight growth patterns were observed
by Brown et al, 12) Joandet and Cartwright, 19) and Matsukawa
et al. 20) Their average growth curves indicated that there
were differences among source districts thought to derive
from differences in genetic structure with regard to not
only body weight but other morphological measurements
as well. The growth patterns of female cattle from Okayama showed an overall fast rate of maturing and Lhe. mature size
was also smaller. This demonstrates a format at variance
with the pattern anticipated on the basis of correlations
in parameters, that is, with relationships where the mature
si was smaller for animals with a faster rate of maturing.
Thus, it may be assumed that desirable growth patterns arc
achievable through selection and crossbreeding. Brown et
al 12) observed similar phenomena in Hereford and Brahman
hybrids and reported the possibility of detecting hèterosis
in the rate of maturing. Meanwhile, causes for the growth
pattern peculiar to cattle from Tottori may be that, not
only were there differences in genetic structure as described
above, but also that the animals were supplied for obser-
vation at an earlier age than those from other prefectures,
and hence reacted sharply to environmental differences.
-Moreover, from May through October of 1969, i.e., before
first parturition, they were allowed to graze on artificial
.11•■ . . . • . .F.rr.M.re-,,••••••••■••- . •••■.•ney1■••••••••
REFERENCES
i\Ih.tl^l R ünll1) tta1NKN, J. y.. Il. à'. (,'i.AuK. N. M.
J. J. L1RICK, J. Antin. S ►:i., 23. 711 716. 196•1.
Z 1 1tuRRlti, C. A. and J. W. WILTuY, (:un. J. Anim.
tit i., 56: 613 647. 1976.3) MuRRIt+, C. A. and J. W. W ► LIUN, Anim. llrcud.
Abstr., 45: 139 153. 1977.
4) FITZHUatt, H. A., Jr.. Texas. Agr. Exp. Sta.
l'rog. Kep" 3121., 1972.
5) FlrxnucH, Il. A., Jr., J. Anim. 5ci., 42: 1036
1051. 1976.6) I..\tiTER, D. B., J. Anim. Sci., 36: 493 503.
1974.7) 1th:L1.OW, K. A., R. B. (,InSPN, 1). C. ANDERSON and
R. E. SHORT, J. Anim. Sci„ 33: 455-457. 1971.
8) NEVII.LF., W.15., Jr., B.G.1`11:LLINIX, Jr., J. 11.
SMIrH and W. C. McCoRMtcK, J. Anim. Sci., 47:
11)Ii0-10823. 1978.9) ) I\RTLEY, k-1. 0., Technomeirlcs, 3: 269 280.
1961.
10) WA{.DFORD, L., Hiol. Bull., 90: 141-147. 1946.
11) 1 tARYEY, W. R., Least•Squares Analysis of Data
with Uneyuul Subclass Numixors. AKS20•8.
U. S. ll. A. 196u. ,12) pti(jwx, J. L, 11. A. I*'IrxHUaH, Jr. and T. C.
.I>,.RTWRIG1iT, J. Anim. Sci., 42: ii10 818. 1976
13) I,R,ZZLE, J. 1S. and 1). M. ALI.EN, 131ometrH:s, 25:
337.-381. 1969. '
114, +ISIl,t fG - • ^1•^lq^l i, • iP4. 'lllxll^^^l1`Ii, 820.
1.50. 1973.15) ^iqll^lC11@ • f'r.^.^,^.% •^iNl i^), tltSrf I^tIP4 Kt^G
► '' 77: 14-14.. 1977.
16) (iRUwN, J. E.,' C. J. BRUWN and W.T. IiUTrti, J.
Anim. Sei., 34: 525 537. 1972.
171 I^InLLt:Rt+o Loi-t•i de ToRRr•. and IiuunY J. t:AN-
KIN, J. Anim. 5ci., 46: 604•b13. 1978.
18) •if[ • 11111 •^^Ih{iiil'^l.73 108. 1955.
19) JuANDh:r, U. li. and T. G. CARrwRIwltT, J. Amin.
:;Ci., 29: 862 ëliti. 1969.20) 1 ;1I1 il: • 1119+r ^^;i • fi ; ; r^ • ^,^Fsil^ hllys • ++
Jt, I 1^;r,^. JK, 30. 95 99. 1979.211 LAItFENTER, J. r1., Jr., U. A. l'IriHUGH, Jr., J.
E. [iROwN and E. K. CROCCH, Texas. Agr. Exp.
titü. l'roK. Rej). 2975., 1971.
22) \1uNrKRlu, 1.. S. und 1). S. l'u:o1^h:R. :1nln+.
l'rotl., 8: 179 192. 19litl.
24
.I
22
pasture. All these conditions inhibited early growth and
are thought tQ be reflected in the parameters.
Differences in mature size and maturing rit-e- of
the female cattle are related to a large extent to the amountwl+icit .tmou»b TepYrsF¢nfs a 19tge, pCoposEion oL ti+t proâactiurl toSEs ol talve
of fodder required for growth and sustenance: Geneticallybvdy-6wilding
ri cfi n1
speaking, the - capa.&y and maturation rate of later genera-
tions are considered to be influenced by the feeding effec-
tiveness and carcass composition of the fattening cattle.
Thus, these results suggest that when cattle are compared
in terms of both breed and different source districts, there
is a necessity to base onesoli ovi L^a vnaçurin5 ratt vs.con
lnaiuriny site. rather than merelyva given age or body weight.
Carpenter et a121) have reported that for animals with
a fast maturing rate, intervals between parturitions are shorter
and the lifetime number of wcancd calves is larger, while
the body weightuat weaning of calves from cattle with larger
body weight at maturing are greater and the number of product-
ive animals was smaller. Moreover, a connection was found
between the age at the point of inflection and sexual matu-
rity as regards body weight.22) Therefore, in the future
biometric data must be regarded not simply as grourth indices,
but as information usable in evaluating the most efficient
growth pattern for breeding females in terms of the inter-
( .7,
It
relationships of mature age, rate-of maturing, percentage
23
of maturing animals, point of inflection, etc., and calf
productivity:as well as growth in subsequent generations
of cattle.
Based on the above results, biometric records o£ Jap-
anese cattle in the initial growth period are often lacking
because of the make-up of the calf market and thus Logistic's
model seems applicable to this kind of data. Furthermore,
by fitting a growth model for individual growth, a huge
number of measurements at each stage of growth may be concentrated
into a small number of parameters and it was found to be
possible to obtain important data on figures characterizing
growth.
In closing, this research was assisted in part by funds
for scientific research from the Ministry of Education.
REFERENCES (JAPANESE TITLES)
14) Fukuhara, R., T. Obata, Y. Kiharab Chkoku N8-Shi-H8
(Chugoku Agricultural Testing Station Bulletin), B20:
1-50, 1973
15) Mukai, F., Y. Sasaki, K. Namikawal Nichi-Chiku-Kai Kansai
Shibu-H8 (Jap. J. of Zootechnical Sel., Kansai Branch
Report) 77: 14-14, 1977
18) Kumazaki, K., E. Tanaka, Y. Kihara, Cheigoku N8-Shi-H5
(Chugoku Agricultural Testing Station Bulletin), B4
73-108, 1955
20) Matsukawa, T., H. Nakano, S. Ariyoshi, M. Osugiyama,
T. Hayashi, Nichi-Chiku-Kaie (Jap. J. of Zootechnical Sci.
Bulletin) 508 95-99, 1979