Structural equation models allow causal effects between 2 or more variables to be
considered and can postulate unidirectional (recursive models; RM) or bidirectional …

Structural equation models (SEMs) are multivariate specifications capable of conveying
causal relationships among traits. Although these models offer insights into how phenotypic …

Genetic parameters for total number of piglets born per litter, number of piglets weaned per
litter, lean meat content, and average daily gain from birth till the end of the field test were …

Complex networks with causal relationships among variables are pervasive in biology. Their
study, however, requires special modeling approaches. Structural equation models (SEM) …

Perinatal piglet mortality is an important factor in pig production from economic and animal
welfare perspectives; however, the statistical analysis of mortality is difficult because of its …

Optimized breeding goals and management practices for the improvement of target traits
requires knowledge regarding any potential functional relationships between them. Fitting a …

One of the main goals of selection schemes in beef cattle populations is to increase carcass
weight at slaughter. Live weights at different growth stages are frequently used as selection …

Perinatal piglet mortality is an important factor in pig production from economic and animal
welfare perspectives; however, the statistical analysis of mortality is difficult because of its …

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of parity and space allowance on selected
measures indicative of welfare, and on reproductive parameters, in group-housed sows …

Variance components for sow litter size traits were estimated using the REML method.
Number of live born piglets (NBA), number of still born piglets (NSB), number of total born …