Correlated responses in body composition based on selection for different indicator traits in mice.

Correlated responses in whole-body composition were determined in 12-wk-old male mice from replicate lines selected for 12 generations for high (HF) or low (LF) epididymal fat pad weight as a percentage of body weight (EPID) and high (HL) or low (LL) hind carcass weight as a percentage of body weight. The HF and LF lines diverged (P less than .01) in body fat percentage (FAT) and subcutaneous depot fat by 93 and 71%, respectively, of the control line (RC) mean. EPID increased (P less than .01) proportionately more than FAT in the HF line; EPID decreased (P less than .01) proportionately less than FAT in LF. Protein, fat and water as a percentage of empty body weight showed negative correlated responses (P less than .01) due to selection for EPID, but lean body mass, body weight and body length had positive correlated responses (P less than .01). Correlated responses of fat-free protein and ash percentage were minor. Correlated responses in HL and LL were the mirror images of those in HF and LF, but they generally were of smaller magnitude. The results indicate that, although there are high positive genetic correlations between fat depots in mice, local control of lipogenesis and(or) lipolysis exists at different sites of fat deposition. Further, the lack of correlated responses in fat-free percentage of protein (and percentage of ash) suggests that additive genetic variances are low for these traits and(or) the genetic correlations of these traits with the selection criteria are low.