An independent statistical analysis of ovulation rate data used to segregate Booroola-Merino genotypes

Abstract

Cluster analysis using a sums of squares criterion, which grouped ewes by minimising the within-group sums of squares or equivalently maximising the Euclidian distance between the groups, was used to classify Booroola-Merino genotypes. The results were similar to those when classes had been determined as homozygous (at least one observation of ⩾ 5 corpora lutea), heterozygous (at least one observation of ⩾ 3 but < 5), or recessive (all observations of ⩽ 2).

Keywords:

• Booroola-Merino
• ovulation rate
• genotypes
• sheep
• statistical analysis