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title: "5.11.3 Special case of a common environmental effect: the maternal effect"
canonical: "https://wiki.groenkennisnet.nl/space/TAB/288686330/5.11.3%20Special%20case%20of%20a%20common%20environmental%20effect%3A%20the%20maternal%20effect"
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The maternal effect can be a special case of the common environment. It is the effect of the environment that is defined by the mother. It starts already prior to birth, and continues for as long as the mother has an influence on the development of her offspring. In case of multiple offspring simultaneously, such as in a litter, the maternal effect can be an important part of the common environmental effect. But also the development of animals that are born as singletons are influenced by their mother. When the mother has multiple offspring, but not at the same time, it is possible to estimate the effect of the specific maternal environment that is shared by all offspring. For example the size of the uterus, or the temperament of the mother, resulting in a specific type of maternal care.

![image](media://1290259f-1cee-4a12-b445-44c144405c4f)

A complicating factor is that the maternal effect has an environmental component, but also a genetic one! It will depend on the genetics of the mother what uterine environment she can create for the developing offspring. And also how wide her birth canal is, or how much milk she can produce and of what quality. So the maternal effect in fact is an environmental effect for the offspring, but depending on the genetics of the mother.

> ℹ️ ### Definition
> ℹ️ 
> ℹ️ *The ****maternal effect**** is defined as the effect of the environment created by the mother on the  evelopment of her offspring. The maternal effect is partly determined by the genetics of the mother.*

Note that this maternal effect is part of the breeding goal in a number of animal species. After all, having good mothering abilities can be an important component in the breeding program. Maternal effects are included in the breeding goals of, for example, dairy cattle (ease of birth), beef cattle and sheep (ease of birth, mothering ability), pigs and rabbits (the mothers are a very important component in number and quality of offspring).

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