The effects on litter size of crossing lines of mice inbred without selection

Abstract

1. The experiment was designed to provide basic information relevant to the utilization of heterosis in animal improvement. The character studied was the size of the first litter in mice.2. Thirty inbred lines were crossed at random when the inbreeding coefficient reached 0·50 (three full-sib matings). The lines had been inbred without selection except for natural selection operating with lines.3. The mean litter size of the crossbred mice did not exceed that of the outbred population from which the inbred lines had been derived. This indicates that the increased litter size normally associated with crossbred mice must be ascribed to some form of selection other than within-line natural selection.4. Estimates were obtained of the variance components associated with general and special combining abilities. As anticipated, these estimates were very small, especially those relating to special combining ability. Before selection between crosses becomes possible, high levels of inbreeding must be achieved.