Investigation of Biases for Variance Components on Multiple Traits with Varying Number of Categories in Threshold Models Using Bayesian Inferences

Abstract

Gibbs sampling algorithms were implemented to the multi-trait threshold animal models with any combinations of multiple binary, ordered categorical, and linear traits and investigate the amount of bias on these models with two kinds of parameterization and algorithms for generating underlying liabilities. Statistical models which included additive genetic and residual effects as random and contemporary group effects as fixed were considered on the models using simulated data. The fully conditional posterior means of heritabilities and genetic (residual) correlations were calculated from 1,000 samples retained every 10th samples after 15,000 samples discarded as burn-in period. Under the models considered, several combinations of three traits with binary, multiple ordered categories, and continuous were analyzed. Five replicates were carried out. Estimates for heritabilities and genetic (residual) correlations as the posterior means were unbiased when underlying liabilities for a categorical trait were generated given by underlying liabilities of the other traits and threshold estimates were rescaled. Otherwise, when parameterizing threshold of zero and residual variance of one for binary traits, heritability estimates were inflated 7-10% upward. Genetic correlation estimates were biased upward if positively correlated and downward if negatively correlated when underling liabilities were generated without accounting for correlated traits on prior information. Residual correlation estimates were, consequently, much biased downward if positively correlated and upward if negatively correlated in that case. The more categorical trait had categories, the better mixing rate was shown.