Crossbreeding effects after long-term selection for purebred performance: a model experiment with mice : 2. Performance of three-breed crosses.

Results are presented from two replicated three-breed cross diallels that were conducted after 20 generations of selection for purebred performance in mice. The selection criteria for the different lines were: litter size at birth (LS), weaning weight at 4 weeks (WW), weight gain from week 4 to week 6 (WG), and body fat content at week 6 (FT). Additionally, a random-mating control line (C) was kept. Significant maternal heterosis was found in litter size and weaning weight. Estimates of maternal heterosis in litter size were very high, ranging from 17 to 50% of the mean of the corresponding single crosses. Maternal heterosis in weaning weight usually was negative and ranged from +9 to -11%. Significant maternal heterosis in feed efficiency and weaning weight could only be found in a few cases. Total performance of three-breed crosses was highly superior to that of single crosses and purebreds. Means of the corresponding purebreds or single crosses were of little use in predicting three-breed cross performance.