Empirical growth curve estimation considering multiple seasonal compensatory growths of body weights in Japanese Thoroughbred colts and fillies.
Abstract: Thoroughbred horses are seasonal mating animals, and their foals are born yearly in spring seasons. In northern regions or countries, the foals generally show a typical seasonal compensatory growth pattern, where their growth rate declines in winter and increases in the next spring. In this study, a new empirical approach is proposed to adjust for this compensatory growth when growth curve equations are estimated, by using BW of Japanese Thoroughbred colts and fillies raised in Hidaka, Hokkaido. Based on the traditional Richards growth curve equation, new growth curve equations were developed and fit to the weight-age data. The foals generally experience 2 major winter seasons before their debut in horseracing. The new equations had sigmoid subfunctions that can empirically adjust the first and second year compensatory growths, combined with the Richards biological parameter responsible for the maturity of animals. The unknown parameters included in the equations were estimated by SAS NLMIXED procedure. The goodness-of-fit was examined by using several indices of goodness-of-fit (i.e., Akaike's information criterion, Bayesian information criterion, -2 log likelihood, and residual sum of squares) for the multiple applications of the subfunctions. The indices indicated the best fit of the new equations including both subfunctions for the first and second compensatory growths to the weight-age data. The shapes of the growth curves were improved during the periods of compensatory growth. The proposed method is one of the useful approaches for adjusting multiple seasonal compensatory growths in growth curve estimations of Thoroughbreds and for the management of young horses during the compensatory periods.
Publication Date: 2013-10-01 PubMed ID: 24085406DOI: 10.2527/jas.2013-6523Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research article discusses a new approach to adjusting growth curves of Japanese Thoroughbred horses to account for seasonal compensatory growth, which is the fluctuation of growth rate in response to changing seasons.
Explanation of the Research Paper
The study primarily focused on distinct growth patterns found in Japanese Thoroughbred horses due to seasonal changes. Here are the key aspects of the research:
- Importance of the Study: By focusing on Japanese Thoroughbreds, the study aimed to better understand their growth patterns, which are influenced by seasonal changes. This research is particularly important in the context of Thoroughbreds’ experience of two major winter seasons before they debut in horseracing.
- Creating New Growth Curve Equations: The research team developed new growth curve equations based on the traditional Richards growth curve equation. The new equations were adjusted to accommodate fluctuating growth rates, more accurately reflecting the horses’ development.
- Parameter Estimation and Verification: The parameters within the new equations were determined using the SAS NLMIXED procedure. The goodness-of-fit of these parameters was then assessed by various indices such as Akaike’s information criterion, Bayesian information criterion, -2 log likelihood, and residual sum of squares.
- Results: The results indicated that the new equations were more accurate than their traditional counterpart in modelling the weight-age data of the thoroughbreds. They showed higher goodness-of-fit values and better accounted for the first and second compensatory growths.
- Application of the Study: The proposed method is useful for adjusting growth curve estimates for Thoroughbreds and managing young horses during compensatory periods. This study can assist breeders, trainers, and vets in accurately determining growth patterns, thereby better managing diet, training regimes, and overall health of the horses.
Cite This Article
APA
Onoda T, Yamamoto R, Sawamura K, Inoue Y, Murase H, Nambo Y, Tozaki T, Matsui A, Miyake T, Hirai N.
(2013).
Empirical growth curve estimation considering multiple seasonal compensatory growths of body weights in Japanese Thoroughbred colts and fillies.
J Anim Sci, 91(12), 5599-5604.
https://doi.org/10.2527/jas.2013-6523 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Comparative Agricultural Sciences, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan.
MeSH Terms
- Aging
- Animals
- Computer Simulation
- Female
- Horses / growth & development
- Japan
- Male
- Models, Biological
- Seasons
- Weight Gain / physiology
Citations
This article has been cited 3 times.- Tozaki T, Kikuchi M, Kakoi H, Hirota KI, Nagata SI. A genome-wide association study for body weight in Japanese Thoroughbred racehorses clarifies candidate regions on chromosomes 3, 9, 15, and 18.. J Equine Sci 2017;28(4):127-134.
- Onoda T, Yamamoto R, Sawamura K, Murase H, Nambo Y, Inoue Y, Matsui A, Miyake T, Hirai N. An approach of estimating individual growth curves for young thoroughbred horses based on their birthdays.. J Equine Sci 2014;25(2):29-35.
- Onoda T, Yamamoto R, Sawamura K, Murase H, Nambo Y, Inoue Y, Matsui A, Miyake T, Hirai N. Empirical Percentile Growth Curves with Z-scores Considering Seasonal Compensatory Growths for Japanese Thoroughbred Horses.. J Equine Sci 2013;24(4):63-9.
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