Mathematical functions for the prediction of body weight gain in dromedary.

摘要

The body weight gain in two sexes and four genotypes of dromedaries from birth to 20 years of age was analysed for a period of 21 years. The average per month body weight gain in the Indian dromedary ranged from 19.46 to -3.86 kg, respectively from birth to 20 years old. The breed and sex effects were largely insignificant (P>0.05). The body weight gain in camels was maximum during first six months of age, precisely, 48.26 kg during the first quarter and 58.39 kg in the second quarter. The body weight gain continued up to 11 years of age and thereafter, it was more or less negative. The linear, logarithmic, quadratic, inverse and cubic functions were derived to explain the age-weight gain relationship in Indian dromedary and the R2 values were 0.702, 0.892, 0.795, 0.651 and 0.834, respectively. It is concluded that the analysis and curve fitting the logarithmic function explains the per month body weight gain in camel for the entire life time to the extent of 89.2%, hence the equation Y=21.0934-4.3128 In (x) can reliably be utilized for the prediction of body weight gain of camels of different sexes and genetic groups for all purposes including meat production potential and performance evaluation.