Phenotypic and genetic parameters for growth in guinea pigs.

T HE guinea pig (Cavia porcellus) supplies a significant proportion of the animal protein in human diets in parts of Andean South America. Although it has been used extensively as a laboratory animal for nutrition and genetic studies for about half a century, there is a paucity of information concerning the relative influences of heredity and environment on growth. Eaton (1932), Haines (1928) and Wright (1960) have suggested that variation in growth and in fertility is party controlled by genetics. However, the only known heritability estimates for this species are those reported for birth weight and weaning weight by Vaccaro, Dillard and Lozano (1968). The objective of the present investigation was to estimate phenotypic and genetic parameters for several growth measures in guinea pigs. These results should be of interest to geneticists and laboratory animal research workers as well as to those concerned with utilizing these animals for meat.