Growth curves of body weight changes in laboratory-bred female African green monkeys (Cercopithecus aethiops)

Nonlinear growth models having three or four parameter family were applied to individual weight data of female African green monkeys for estimating their growth pattern. The body weight was measured continuously from birth to six years of age with five female laboratory-bred monkeys. A total of 95 weight data were collected from each monkey. The average body weight was 330 g with the standard deviation of +/- 15 g at birth, and 2.71 +/- 0.33 kg at four years of age. The body weight of female African green monkeys was judged to reach a plateau after about four years of age. Five growth models (Gompertz, Logistic, Richards, Bertalanffy, Brody) were applied to these weight to age data. The most suitable coefficient of determination between growth data and growth model was obtained by the application of Gompertz equation. Three parameters of Gompertz equation, mature size (A), rate of maturing (K) and inflexion point (e-1 A) were analyzed in relation to age of menarche. Strong correlations between age of menarche and maturing rate, as well as between age of menarche and inflexion point were observed.     

Management of individual body weight growth of infant squirrel monkey (Saimiri sciureus) in indoor breeding colony

We biometrically analyzed the body weight growth data of new-born squirrel monkeys, obtained during the nursing period from 0 to 12 weeks of age. Body weight (y in grams) could be expressed as a function of birth weight (a in grams) and age (x in weeks) by the following equation: y = a + b x, where b indicates growth rate. This equation corresponded significantly with actual growth curves (R2 = 0.96). The frequency distribution of b values was demonstrated to be abnormal distribution. This value was used to judge whether the body weight growth of each monkey was normal or abnormal. The lower control limit (LCL) was calculated by using a linear equation with the b value of 9.07 (M-1.25 x S.D.) and each birth weight. For the monkeys whose body weight was above the LCL during the first three weeks after birth, it was determined whether the frequency of weighings could be reduced from 13 to 7. Using the same animals, no significant difference was detected between the b value estimated from 13 measurements and that estimated from 7 measurements. Thus, from the standpoint of management's policy to save labor, the frequency of weighings could be reduced. A new daily routine has been established in our primate center to save labor by reducing the number of body weighings of the many infant monkeys. In the new program, newborn monkeys whose body weight is above the LCL are weighed only 7 times during the nursing period of 12 weeks, while those whose weight is below the LCL are weighed 8 to 13 times.     

Pelvic growth, calf birth weight and dystocia in Holstein x Hereford heifers

The pelvic area was measured in 129 Holstein x Hereford heifers at 10, 16 and 22 months of age. The heifers were fed an all forage diet. Pelvic growth was not linear over time, changing from an increase of 0.27 +/- 0.2 cm(2)/day during the first 6 months of the study to 0.13 +/- 0.13 cm(2)/day during the last 6 months (P<0.01). The relationship of pelvic area to body weight, height at hooks, and distance from hooks to pins did not change with age, and a moderate correlation between the pelvic area and these other measures (R=0.20 to 0.80) was noted. The pelvic area was measured within 24 hours after calving in 76 of the heifers. The rate of increase of pelvic area/day increased significantly (P < 0.01) in the month prior to calving from 0.14+/-0.13 cm(2) to 1.15 +/- 0.88 cm(2). As a result, the pelvic area at calving had a moderate correlation (R=0.29 to 0.52) to the pelvic area prior to calving. Logistic regression and discriminant analysis techniques were used to model the influence of the pelvic area and calf birth weight on the incidence of dystocia. Ratio of the pelvic area at calving to calf birth weight significantly (P < 0.01) influenced the incidence of dystocia. Logistic regression techniques were not superior to discriminant analysis; both correctly predicted 73% of the cases. Pelvic area measurement at any time other than calving was not associated with dystocia (P >0.05). Pelvic area and calf birth weight are important determinants of dystocia in heifers. The high degree of variation noted in pelvic growth, in particular during the month prior to calving, resulted in low correlation between pelvic area at calving and the precalving measurement. Therefore, we were not able to predict dystocia by measuring the pelvic area prior to calving.     

Use of linear and non-linear functions to describe the growth of young sport- and race-horses born in Normandy

The objectives of this study were to establish standards for growth and to model the evolution of wither height (WH) between birth and adult age in different breeds of sport- and race-horses. Therefore, 398 foals, then yearlings of three different breeds, were measured regularly between birth and 18 months of age. Linear and non-linear functions were compared for describing the growth in each breed group. The monomolecular, Gompertz, logistic and cubic models correctly estimated WH in the three breeds during the first 2 years (R2 = 0.99, s.e. 3.9 to 4.5) and better than the cubic and quadratic models (R2 = 0.93, s.e. = 4.7 to 5.3). The logarithmic and power model seemed better in the last part of the growth period (2 to 6 years, R2 = 0.85, s.e. = 5.6 to 5.9). The linear model did not fit with data on most of the growth period. Comparison of the growth in the three breeds using these models confirmed that race-horses had an intense growth in their first months whereas sport-horses had a more regular growth prolonged in their first years of life.     

Genetic-statistical analysis of growth in selected and unselected mouse lines

The growth of males sampled from two mouse lines long-term selected for over 86 generations on body weight (DU6) or on protein amount (DU6P) was analysed from birth till 120 days of age and compared to the growth of an unselected control line (DUKs). Animals from the selected lines are already approximately 40 to 50% heavier at birth than the controls. This divergence increases to about 210 to 240% at the 120 day of age. With birth weights of 2.2 and 2.4 g and weights of 78 and 89 g at the 120 day these selection lines are the heaviest known mouse lines.

The fit of three modified non-linear growth functions (Gompertz function, Logistic function, Richards function) was compared and the effect of three different data inputs elucidated. The modification was undertaken to use parameters having a direct biological meaning, for example: A: theoretical final body weight, B: maximum weight gain, C: age at maximum weight gain, D (only Richards function): determines the position of the inflection point in relation to the final weight. All three models fit the observed data very well (r² = 0.949–0.998), with a slight advantage for the Richards function. There were no substantial effects of the data input (averages, single values, fitting a curve for every animal with subsequent averaging the parameters).

The high growth of the selected mice is connected with very substantial changes in the final weight and in the maximum weight gain, whereas the changes of the age at the point of inflection were, although partially significant, relatively small and dependent on the model used.     

ASPECTS OF GROWTH IN CAPTIVE KILLER WHALES (ORCINUS ORCA)

Morphometrics from 25 captive killer whales (11 captive-born) were collected at SeaWorld parks from 1984 to 1995 to determine age-specific growth parameters. For sexes combined, the body-volume index was the most accurate predictor of body weight. However, predicting weight from total length was appropriate, although it may underestimate weight of pregnant animals. Among captive-born calves, a Gompertz model was the best predictor of weight and length at age. Estimates for length and weight at birth were done using data from in utero and neonatal calves. For ages 1-5 yr, models indicate that males grew in both weight and length at slower rates. Growth rates in males may surpass those of females at approximately 5-6 yr of age.     

Effects of gender, body composition and birth size on IGF-I in 7- and 8-year-old children

We investigated the relationship between IGF-I, gender, height, weight, body composition and birth size in 260 healthy 7- and 8-year-old children (139 females). All children were born term at Nepean Hospital, Western Sydney. Body composition was measured using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. IGF-I levels were determined by radioimmunoassay. Girls had higher IGF-I levels than boys (20.2 +/- 6.5 nmol/l compared to 15.9 +/- 6.1 nmol/l, p < 0.001) but there was no correlation between age and IGF-I. IGF-I was positively correlated with height SDS (R(2) = 0.12), weight SDS (R(2) = 0.19), BMI SDS (R(2) = 0.18), total body fat (%) (R(2) = 0.14), and fat-free tissue/cm (R(2) = 0.03). After adjusting for gender and current weight, IGF-I-levels were inversely related to birth size - children with the lowest birth size and heaviest current weight had the highest IGF-I levels. This correlation between birth weight and IGF-I supports the hypothesis that the IGF-I axis is altered in babies who are small for gestational age.     

Synthetic standards for body weight

Growth charts represent body stature, body weight, and body mass index (BMI) from birth to maturity. Due to secular changes in these parameters, growth charts tend to become outdated, and must be revised from time to time. Recently, we developed alternative strategies that facilitate developing and renewing growth charts, and suggested synthetic standards for body stature. The increasing prevalence of obesity has made it necessary to develop similar techniques also for monitoring body weight and BMI. Two-hundred-and-forty historic and modern growth studies (108 studies of male growth, 132 studies of female growth) were selected from 22 European, 6 American, 3 African, and 6 Asian nations, published between 1831 and 2001. The studies contained annual information on weight and stature, either between birth and 6 years, or between 6 years and maturity, or information on the whole age range between birth and maturity. Since historic studies up to the mid-20th century usually ignore the fact that body weight (in contrast to body stature) is not normally distributed, a group of 92 more recent studies (45 male, 47 female), published between 1943 and 2001, presenting centiles for weight, was chosen for additional analysis. Furthermore, the skewness of body weight distributions, was investigated in original raw data of body weight obtained from five well reputed longitudinal growth studies, performed at Jena, Germany, Lublin, Poland, Paris, France, Prague, Czech Republic, and Zürich, Switzerland. Average body stature and average weight differ markedly between different populations. But within the same population, both parameters are closely interrelated. In males, birth length and weight correlated with r = 0.503, stature and weight correlated with r = 0.873 at the age of 2 years; with r = 0.882 at the age of 6 years; with r = 0.935 at the age of 14 years, and with r = 0.891 at the age of 18 years. Similar results were obtained in females. At birth, length and weight correlated with r = 0.619. Stature and weight correlated with r = 0.863 at the age of 2; with r = 0.912 at the age of 6; with r = 0.935 at the age of 12; and with r = 0.918 at the age of 15 years. Tables of linear regression coefficients for relative stature and weight at all ages enable the reversal of the process of the meta-analysis and allow the generation of synthetic growth references for stature and weight. Synthetic reference charts help in the revision of current growth charts without much additional effort, and may be used for populations for which autochthonous growth standards are not available.     

Post-natal growth of elephants Loxodonta africana in Etosha National Park, Namibia

Post-natal growth in the African elephant ( Loxodonta africana ) was described using three alternative mathematical models, and two age estimation schedules. Von Bertalanffy, Gompertz and Logistic equations all provided adequate models of post-natal growth in a species for which age estimation methods are largely unsubstantiated. Gompertz and Logistic models overestimated pre-weaning growth and underestimated adult size. Self-accelerating growth is of short duration (one and three years in females and males, respectively), and we found no evidence of a secondary growth spurt in males. Males, nevertheless, continue to grow throughout their lifespan, while females reach asymptotic size at the age of 35–40 years. We found no evidence of differences in growth rate of males and females up to 10 years, and there does not seem to be differential investment in male and female offspring. Growth rates of captive elephants differ substantially from all wild populations studied and may not serve as adequate references for the revision of existing age estimation schedules.     

Effect of chronic oral methadone treatment on the growth of maturing monkeys.

Three male rhesus monkeys drank methadone hydrochloride (1.0-2.5 mg/kg/day) in Tang orange drink from age two to four years. Their rate of body weight gain was faster than that found by other experimenters. In a second study one male monkey drank 2.0 mg/kg/day methadone while two others drank only Tang from age 21/2 to 31/2 years. The rate of body weight gain was identical for the three monkeys, and was the same as that found in the previous study. The apparent augmentation of body weight gain in the first study was probably due to inter-laboratory differences in housing and feeding conditions.     

常见生物生长模型的时差性分析及其应用

生长曲线是估计生物年龄的重要方法之一.在实际工作中,有时会出现对生物年龄的计算起点时间存在着一定差异的情形.例如在一些有关哺乳动物生长的研究中,年龄有出生年龄和受精年龄的区分.这种年龄计算时间上的差异可能导致一些生物生长模型出现不同的拟合结果.本文分析了4种常见的三参数生长模型（Spillman、Logistic、Gompertz和Bertalanffy）的时差性特征.结果表明,这4个方程均具有时差不变性,即无论时间(年龄)起点如何,它们对生物生长数据的拟合结果都一致.文中还引用了小毛足鼠体质量生长数据,采用两种年龄进行了实例比较.     

Effect of parental anthropometric parameters on neonatal birth weight and birth length

Data on 550 healthy pregnant women, 550 healthy fathers and their healthy term neonates born from singleton pregnancies (37(+0) through 41(+6) week) during a one-year period were reviewed. Maternal mean age was 27.7 +/- 9.37 years, mean pregestational weight 64.0 +/- 9.50 kg, mean gestational weight gain 15.4 +/- 4.33 kg, mean height 169.7 +/- 5.81 cm, and mean gestational age 40.1 +/- 0.95 weeks. Paternal mean age was 31.4 +/- 6.22 years, mean weight 84.6 +/- 10.35 kg, and mean height 182.8 +/- 6.84 cm. Mean birth weight was 3,709.8 +/- 500.48 g and 3,562.5 +/- 443.02 g, and mean birth length 51.5 +/- 1.91 cm and 50.7 +/- 1.62 cm in male and female newborns, respectively, yielding a birth weight greater by 147.3 g and birth length by 0.8 cm in the former. Study variables showed statistically significant correlations: maternal age contributed to the significant correlation between maternal weight and parity, maternal pregestational weight, weight at delivery, gestational weight gain and body height correlated significantly with neonatal birth weight and birth length, gestational age correlated significantly with neonatal weight and length (p = 0.01 all), parity had no major impact (p > 0.05). Paternal height and weight correlated significantly with neonatal birth weight and birth length (p = 0.01). Study results pointed to a significant correlation of maternal pregestational weight, gestational weight gain and body height, and of paternal weight and height with the neonate birth weight and birth length.     

Reproductive parameters of wild female Rhinopithecus roxellana

On the basis on 6 years of observation, we estimated the reproductive parameters of a Golden snub-nosed monkey (Rhinopithecus roxellana) group in the Qinling Mountains, China. We observed 88 births in 47 females from 2001 to 2006. Two methods were used to calculate the birthrate. The first method is based on the number of births observed in a year, giving 0.49+/-0.07 (mean+/-SD), and the second method is based on the female-years of observation, giving 0.49+/-0.17 births per female per year in this troop. The mean interbirth interval is 21.88+/-6.01 months (mean+/-SD). The mortality of infant born between 2002 and 2005 was 22.4%. The interbirth intervals of females that had lost an infant before the age of 6 months were significantly shorter than that of females whose infants survived for more than 6 months. A female usually gives birth once every 2 years if the previous offspring survives to a weaning age of 5-6 months, or will give birth in the next year if the previous young dies before reaching an age of 6 months. Births were significantly concentrated during March to May of each year. The mean birth date was on April 14, median was April 12; and the standard deviation was 13.98 days. Birth peak occurs 6-7 months after mating peak. From observations on 15 individuals that gave birth for the first time, we concluded that the wild female Golden snub-nosed monkeys in Qinling Mountains start giving birth at an age of 5 or 6 years. We suggest that the seasonal reproductive pattern is an adaptive response to the availability of seasonal food. Our results are consistent with the hypothesis that these reproductive characteristics are a result of adaptation to the seasonality of mountain climate and food resources.     

Disappearances of individuals from social groups have implications for understanding natal dispersal in monogamous owl monkeys (Aotus azarai)

The socially monogamous owl monkeys (Aotus spp.) live in small groups of two to five individuals. We used monthly demographic data collected from 16 social groups between 1997-2001 to estimate the age of disappearance from their natal groups and the timing of those disappearances in a population of owl monkeys (Aotus azarai azarai) in Formosa, Argentina. We applied survival analysis techniques to 48 months of observations of 47 individuals to construct age-specific probabilities of disappearance. Two-thirds of the individuals (eight of 12), for which disappearance could be well timed, disappeared at around 2 years of age. The average age at disappearance for these individuals was 29 months (+/-8), whereas the mean age of disappearance obtained from the survival analysis of censored and uncensored data was almost 3 years (mean+/-SD, 35+/-3 months). Ninety-two percent of all disappearances of adult size individuals (11 of 12) occurred around the birth season. Our data suggest that at least some individuals disperse soon after sexual maturation while others remain for up to 4 years in their natal groups.     

实验性2型糖尿病恒河猴模型的构建及其部分临床特征分析

目的构建2型糖尿病（T2DM）恒河猴模型,使之成为研究人类T2DM的有效替身。方法以高糖高脂饮食为基础,在出现高脂血症和肥胖状态后注射35mg／kg的链脲佐菌素（STZ）,测定体重指数、血脂、空腹血糖、胰岛素、胰岛素抵抗指数、尿糖和口服葡萄糖耐量试验等,分析其部分临床特征。结果T2DM模型组体重指数（BMI）大于35达到重度肥胖,有高脂血症的特点,空腹血糖、胰岛素和胰岛素抵抗指数显著增高（P〈0．01）,尿糖检测呈阳性,葡萄糖耐量受损并且空腹血糖高于7mmol／L、2h的血糖水平高于11．Immol／L,胰岛有轻度损伤和病变。结论通过部分临床特征分析,T2DM模型组具有典型的T2DM临床特征,可成为T2DM研究的有效模型。     

Relationship of testicular growth and size to age, body weight and onset of puberty in Menz ram lambs

Scrotal circumference as an index of testes size, along with body weight, wither height, heart girth and body condition score were measured fortnightly for 114 Menz ram lambs from weaning (91+/-7 SD days) until puberty, which was defined as age at first collection of an ejaculate with 50 x 10(6) spermatozoa and 10% motility. The animals were maintained on poor (n=28), low (n=29), medium (n=29) or high (n=28) levels of nutrition through grazing and supplementation. Further, half the lambs in each group were drenched for endoparasites. Daily gains in live weight, wither height, heart girth and scrotal circumference were 48.5+/-1.6 g, 0.05+/-0.01 cm, 0.07+/-0.01 cm and 0.07+/-0.03 cm, respectively for the period from weaning to puberty and varied with level of nutrition (P<0.05 to 0.001) but not with drenching or its interaction with nutrition level (P>0.10). Scrotal circumference increased linearly and was strongly correlated with age, body weight, wither height, and heart girth (r = 0.83 to 0.85, P<0.001), and lamb weight could be predicted by the equation: 6.35 + 0.53 scrotal circumference (R(2) = 0.73). Mean age, body weight and condition score at puberty were 288+/-6 days, 19.3+/-0.4 kg and 2.6+/-0.06, respectively, and varied due to season of birth, level of nutrition and weaning weight (P<0.01 to 0.001). The nutrition level also influenced (P<0.001) scrotal circumference at puberty, averaging 21.5+/-0.3 cm. It was concluded that postweaning nutrition management had a strong influence on lamb weight gain, which in turn was related to testicular growth and puberty onset in Menz ram lambs. The suitability of scrotal size measurement as a criterion for early selection of tropical ram lambs is emphasised.     

中华山蝠翼的形态学发育模式

为了揭示中华山蝠翼的形态学发育模式,2012-2014年, 通过对50只中华山蝠幼蝠进行人工饲养实验观察及测量,辅以野外标志重捕,研究中华山蝠翼的生长。结果显示：中华山蝠翼外形各量度值先呈直线增长,后增长速度逐渐减慢。各指标增长速度减慢的日龄各不相同,臂膜长在25日龄生长速度逐渐减慢;翼展、翼面积、臂膜面积在30日龄增长速度减慢;掌膜长及掌膜面积则在40日龄增长速度减慢。臂膜长发育最快,试飞前 (28日龄) 已达到成体臂膜长的80.9%。翼载在幼蝠生后14日龄内呈直线增长,然后开始直线下降,到试飞期 (35日龄左右),翼载值降到最低,是成体翼载的80.0%,此后呈极缓慢增长趋势。中华山蝠翼的生长主要集中在试飞前。试飞后,则通过减缓体重的增长速度甚至减轻体重,保持翼面积尤其是掌膜面积的增长速度,从而降低翼载,以便更快地适应飞行生活。Logistic, Von Bertalanffy和Gompertz 3种非线性曲线中,Gompertz模型对翼展拟合度最佳,Gompertz和Von Bertalanffy模型对翼面积拟合度优于Logistic曲线。     

Breeding value accuracy estimates for growth traits using random regression and multi-trait models in Nelore cattle

We quantified the potential increase in accuracy of expected breeding value for weights of Nelore cattle, from birth to mature age, using multi-trait and random regression models on Legendre polynomials and B-spline functions. A total of 87,712 weight records from 8144 females were used, recorded every three months from birth to mature age from the Nelore Brazil Program. For random regression analyses, all female weight records from birth to eight years of age (data set I) were considered. From this general data set, a subset was created (data set II), which included only nine weight records: at birth, weaning, 365 and 550 days of age, and 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 years of age. Data set II was analyzed using random regression and multi-trait models. The model of analysis included the contemporary group as fixed effects and age of dam as a linear and quadratic covariable. In the random regression analyses, average growth trends were modeled using a cubic regression on orthogonal polynomials of age. Residual variances were modeled by a step function with five classes. Legendre polynomials of fourth and sixth order were utilized to model the direct genetic and animal permanent environmental effects, respectively, while third-order Legendre polynomials were considered for maternal genetic and maternal permanent environmental effects. Quadratic polynomials were applied to model all random effects in random regression models on B-spline functions. Direct genetic and animal permanent environmental effects were modeled using three segments or five coefficients, and genetic maternal and maternal permanent environmental effects were modeled with one segment or three coefficients in the random regression models on B-spline functions. For both data sets (I and II), animals ranked differently according to expected breeding value obtained by random regression or multi-trait models. With random regression models, the highest gains in accuracy were obtained at ages with a low number of weight records. The results indicate that random regression models provide more accurate expected breeding values than the traditionally finite multi-trait models. Thus, higher genetic responses are expected for beef cattle growth traits by replacing a multi-trait model with random regression models for genetic evaluation. B-spline functions could be applied as an alternative to Legendre polynomials to model covariance functions for weights from birth to mature age.     

人工饲养条件下东方田鼠指名亚种繁殖特性及其幼仔的生长发育

在实验室饲养条件下, 对东方田鼠指名亚种繁殖特性和幼仔生长发育进行了初步观察。该鼠全年均可繁殖, 平均每胎产仔3.8 ±1.5 只, 妊娠期20～21 d , 繁殖间隔期39.3 ±26.4 d , 雌雄比为1.48。幼鼠3 日龄耳壳完全直立, 4 日龄开始长下门齿, 5 日龄长上门齿, 7～8 日龄睁眼, 20 日龄可断奶, 55 日龄左右性成熟。3 种生长模型(Logistic 方程、Gompertz 方程和Von Bertalanffy 方程) 对体重、体长、尾和后足的生长过程的拟合优度均很高,择优选用Von Bertalanffy 方程对体重、体长和尾长进行描述, 选用Logistic 方程对后足长的生长过程进行描述。将该鼠的生长发育过程划分为4 个阶段, 乳鼠阶段: 初生至10 日龄; 幼鼠阶段: 11 日龄至20 日龄; 亚成年阶段: 21至55 日龄; 成年阶段: 56 日龄以后。对指名亚种和长江亚种生长、繁殖特性异同亦作了初步分析。     

甘肃鼠兔幼子生长的初步研究

根据3 窝14只甘肃鼠兔幼子56 天的生长发育资料初步分析了甘肃鼠兔的生长发育规律。依据逻辑斯蒂曲线的拐点,甘肃鼠兔的体重生长可划分为加速增长相（0～0.5日龄）和减速增长相（20.5日龄以后）。按照瞬时生长率曲线的拐点,体重增长过程可分为3个时期,即缓慢生长期（0～6.5 日龄）、快速生长期（6.5～34.5 日龄）和渐进生长期（34.5 日龄以后）。文章对使用逻辑斯蒂方程和其它“S”形曲线描述动物生长过程存在的一些问题进行了讨论,认为：如果只用1条“S”形曲线描述动物的整个生长过程,就有可能会因为成年期动物生长规律的变化而破坏模型参数的生物学意义,同时引起模型拟合精度的降低。为克服这一问题,作者建议：在使用“S”形曲线拟合动物生长模型时,生长过程的资料最好不要覆盖体重波动较大的成年阶段。