Crossbreeding effects after long-term selection for purebred performance: a model experiment with mice - 1. Performance of F₁ crosses

The influence of purebred selection on the combining abilities of five lines of mice was examined. Two replicated testcross diallels were made after 10 and 20 generations of purebred selection for litter size, weaning weight, weight gain, and feed efficiency. Average direct genetic effects were of major importance, followed by average maternal genetic effects. In all of the replications, between two and four out of ten crosses showed significant heterosis. Heterosis ranged from 0 to 38% in litter size, from 0 to 20% in weaning weight, from -11 to 11% in weight gain, and from -8 to 17% in feed efficiency. For litter size and weaning weight, heterosis estimates increased between 80 and 100% from generation 10 to 20. Weight gain and feed efficiency showed decreasing heterosis with partly negative estimates in the second diallel. Combinations exhibiting significant heterosis varied between replicates and between the two diallels.