An aspect of growth analysis of weight in savannah baboon. II. Gender comparison by adjusting age.

Abstract

Generalized logistic type and Gompertz type models were applied to the growth of average body weights in savannah baboons. The age scale was adjusted by the estimated age of statistical onset of adolescence. The distance curves could be linearized by an age-transformation. The average weight growth pattern of females was similar to males until about 160 weeks old for males. A turning age of growth was introduced for comparing growth patterns. Females chased the trace of males' growth until the turning age introduced. The turning age of females was near the average age of their menarches. However, the adolescent growth of average weights of males was completely different from of females after passing through the turning age. The velocity curve of average weight growth of females was similar to of males only until the ages of statistical onsets of adolescence.