Empirical Percentile Growth Curves with Z-scores Considering Seasonal Compensatory Growths for Japanese Thoroughbred Horses.
Abstract: Percentile growth curves are often used as a clinical indicator to evaluate variations of children's growth status. In this study, we propose empirical percentile growth curves using Z-scores adapted for Japanese Thoroughbred horses, with considerations of the seasonal compensatory growth that is a typical characteristic of seasonal breeding animals. We previously developed new growth curve equations for Japanese Thoroughbreds adjusting for compensatory growth. Individual horses and residual effects were included as random effects in the growth curve equation model and their variance components were estimated. Based on the Z-scores of the estimated variance components, empirical percentile growth curves were constructed. A total of 5,594 and 5,680 body weight and age measurements of male and female Thoroughbreds, respectively, and 3,770 withers height and age measurements were used in the analyses. The developed empirical percentile growth curves using Z-scores are computationally feasible and useful for monitoring individual growth parameters of body weight and withers height of young Thoroughbred horses, especially during compensatory growth periods.
Publication Date: 2013-12-27 PubMed ID: 24834004PubMed Central: PMC4013990DOI: 10.1294/jes.24.63Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The study presents empirical percentile growth curves created using Z-scores for Japanese Thoroughbred horses, considering the seasonal compensatory growth pattern characteristic to them. These growth curves are intended to assist in tracking parameters like body weight and withers height of young horses, especially during periods of compensatory growth.
Growth Curves and their Use
- The researchers explain how percentile growth curves are usually used as clinical indicators to assess varying growth rates in children. The study transfers the same application to the animal kingdom, specifically for Japanese Thoroughbred horses, and adapts these curves based on the consideration of seasonal compensatory growth.
- Compensatory growth is a characteristic response of seasonal breeding animals, where they grow faster for some periods to “compensate” for the slowed or stagnant growth in others. This factor makes it crucial to track the growth patterns of these horses.
- The researchers had previously created growth curve equations for these Thoroughbred horses, adjusting for their compensatory growth.
Methodology Adopted
- In their growth curve equation model, the effects of individual horses and other residual effects were considered as random effects. These variables’ variance components were calculated to ensure the model captures the actual growth pattern variations.
- Z-scores of these estimated variance components were used to create the empirical percentile growth curves. Z-scores effectively standardize the growth measurements, making it straightforward to compare growth rates between different individuals and across different periods.
- To build and test these curves, they used multiple weight and age measurements of both male and female Thoroughbred horses. They also used measurements of the horses’ withers height, which is a critical parameter for horse growth.
Findings and Implications
- The constructed empirical percentile growth curves utilizing Z-scores prove to be computationally feasible and beneficial for tracking growth parameters like body weight and withers height of young Thoroughbred horses.
- These curves will be particularly valuable during periods of compensatory growth when assessing growth variations can impact health and breeding decisions for these horses.
Cite This Article
APA
Onoda T, Yamamoto R, Sawamura K, Murase H, Nambo Y, Inoue Y, Matsui A, Miyake T, Hirai N.
(2013).
Empirical Percentile Growth Curves with Z-scores Considering Seasonal Compensatory Growths for Japanese Thoroughbred Horses.
J Equine Sci, 24(4), 63-69.
https://doi.org/10.1294/jes.24.63 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Comparative Agricultural Sciences, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan.
- The Japan Bloodhorse Breeders' Association, 4-5-4 Shinbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-0004, Japan.
- JRA Facilities Co. Ltd., 4-5-4 Shinbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-0004, Japan.
- Hidaka Training and Research Center, Japan Racing Association, 535-13 Nissha, Urakawa-cho, Hidaka, Hokkaido 057-0171, Japan.
- Hidaka Training and Research Center, Japan Racing Association, 535-13 Nissha, Urakawa-cho, Hidaka, Hokkaido 057-0171, Japan.
- Hidaka Training and Research Center, Japan Racing Association, 535-13 Nissha, Urakawa-cho, Hidaka, Hokkaido 057-0171, Japan.
- Equine Research Institute, Japan Racing Association, 321-4 Tokami-cho, Utsunomiya, Tochigi 320-0856, Japan.
- Comparative Agricultural Sciences, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan.
- Comparative Agricultural Sciences, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan.
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Citations
This article has been cited 2 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.
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