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Home / Equine Research Bank / J Equine Sci / Empirical Growth Curve Estimation Using Sigmoid Sub-function...
Journal of equine science2011; 22(2); 37-42; doi: 10.1294/jes.22.37

Empirical Growth Curve Estimation Using Sigmoid Sub-functions that Adjust Seasonal Compensatory Growth for Male Body Weight of Thoroughbred Horses.

Abstract: Thoroughbred horses are seasonal mating animals, raised in northern regions or countries. Foals born yearly in spring generally show a typical seasonal compensatory growth pattern, in which their growth rate declines in the first winter and increases in the next spring. In this study, a new empirical adjustment approach is proposed to adjust for this compensatory growth when growth curve equations are estimated, by using 1,633 male body weights of Thoroughbreds as an illustrating example. Based on general Richards growth curve equation, a new growth curve equation was developed and fit to the weight-age data. The new growth curve equation had a sigmoid sub-function that can adjust the compensatory growth, 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 Akaike's Information Criterion (AIC). The AIC values decreased from 13,053 (general Richards equation) to 12,794 (the newly developed equation), indicating the better fit of the new equation to the weight-age data. The shape of the growth curve was improved during the period of compensatory growth. The proposed method is one of the useful approaches for adjusting seasonal compensatory growth in growth curve estimations for Thoroughbreds, and for their management during the compensatory period. Based on this approach, the optimal growth curve equations can be estimated also for female body weight of Thoroughbreds or other growth traits affected by seasonal compensatory growth.
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Publication Date: 2011-07-20 PubMed ID: 24833986PubMed Central: PMC4013972DOI: 10.1294/jes.22.37Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research proposes a new empirical adjustment approach to account for seasonal compensatory growth in Thoroughbred horses. The approach uses new growth curve equations, which show a better fit to weight-age data.

Introduction

  • The study focuses on Thoroughbred horses, which are seasoned mating animals often raised in northern regions or countries.
  • Thoroughbred foals typically display seasonal compensatory growth patterns. Their growth rate tends to decrease in their first winter and increase in the following spring.
  • The researchers work on a method to adjust for this compensatory growth when estimating growth curve equations.

Methodology

  • The researchers used data from 1,633 male Thoroughbred horses to develop and validate their approach.
  • They created a new growth curve equation derived from the general Richards growth curve equation. This new equation incorporates a sigmoid sub-function specifically designed to adjust for compensatory growth.
  • The sigmoid sub-function works conjointly with the Richards biological parameter, which is responsible for the maturity of animals.
  • The researchers estimated the unknown parameters included in the equations using the SAS NLMIXED procedure.

Results

  • The fit of the new equation was assessed through Akaike’s Information Criterion (AIC).
  • The AIC values decreased from 13,053 (using the general Richards equation) to 12,794 (using the new equation), suggesting a better fit of the new equation to the weight-age data.
  • The shape of the growth curve was significantly improved during the period of compensatory growth.

Implications

  • The researchers assert that their proposed approach is valuable in adjusting seasonal compensatory growth in growth curve estimations for Thoroughbreds.
  • This method could potentially aid in managing Thoroughbreds during the compensatory period.
  • The findings could be extrapolated to create optimal growth curve estimations not just for male but also for female Thoroughbreds, as well as other growth traits that are impacted by seasonal compensatory growth.

Cite This Article

APA
Onoda T, Yamamoto R, Sawamura K, Inoue Y, Matsui A, Miyake T, Hirai N. (2011). Empirical Growth Curve Estimation Using Sigmoid Sub-functions that Adjust Seasonal Compensatory Growth for Male Body Weight of Thoroughbred Horses. J Equine Sci, 22(2), 37-42. https://doi.org/10.1294/jes.22.37

Publication

Journal of equine science
ISSN: 1340-3516
NlmUniqueID: 9503751
Country: Japan
Language: English
Volume: 22
Issue: 2
Pages: 37-42

Researcher Affiliations

Onoda, Tomoaki
  • Comparative Agricultural Sciences, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan.
Yamamoto, Ryuta
  • The Japan Bloodhorse Breeders' Association, 4-5-4 Shinbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-0004, Japan.
Sawamura, Kyohei
  • JRA Facilities Co. Ltd., 4-5-4 Shinbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-0004, Japan.
Inoue, Yoshinobu
  • Hidaka Training and Research Center, Japan Racing Association, 535-13 Nissha, Urakawa-cho, Hidaka, Hokkaido 057-0171, Japan.
Matsui, Akira
  • Equine Research Institute, Japan Racing Association, 321-4 Tokami-cho, Utsunomiya, Tochigi 320-0856, Japan.
Miyake, Takeshi
  • Comparative Agricultural Sciences, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan.
Hirai, Nobuhiro
  • Comparative Agricultural Sciences, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan.

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Citations

This article has been cited 6 times.
  1. Li C, Barclay H, Roitberg B, Lalonde R. Ecology and Prediction of Compensatory Growth: From Theory to Application in Forestry.. Front Plant Sci 2021;12:655417.
    doi: 10.3389/fpls.2021.655417pubmed: 34290721google scholar: lookup
  2. Li C, Barclay H, Roitberg B, Lalonde R. Forest Productivity Enhancement and Compensatory Growth: A Review and Synthesis.. Front Plant Sci 2020;11:575211.
    doi: 10.3389/fpls.2020.575211pubmed: 33384699google scholar: lookup
  3. 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.
    doi: 10.1294/jes.28.127pubmed: 29270069google scholar: lookup
  4. Takahashi Y, Takahashi T. Seasonal fluctuations in body weight during growth of Thoroughbred racehorses during their athletic career.. BMC Vet Res 2017 Aug 18;13(1):257.
    doi: 10.1186/s12917-017-1184-3pubmed: 28821254google scholar: lookup
  5. 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.
    doi: 10.1294/jes.25.29pubmed: 25013356google scholar: lookup
  6. 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.
    doi: 10.1294/jes.24.63pubmed: 24834004google scholar: lookup
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