Early Growth Patterns Research Articles

Infant and childhood growth and frailty in old age: the Helsinki Birth Cohort Study.

Evidence from life course studies highlights the importance of infant and childhood growth as risk factors for adulthood chronic diseases. In this sub-study of the Helsinki Birth Cohort Study, we studied 1078 individuals who had both information on body size from birth to 12years of age and who were assessed for frailty according to the Fried criteria at the mean age of 71years. Greater BMI gain between 2 and 11years in boys was associated with frailty in old age (age-adjusted RRR 2.36, 95% CI 1.21, 4.63). No similar associations were observed in girls. Men who were frail in old age experienced accelerated BMI gain in childhood compared with those men who were not frail. This was not observed in women, which suggests that the patterns of early growth predisposing to frailty may vary by sex.

Association of infant formula composition and anthropometry at 4 years: Follow-up of a randomized controlled trial (BeMIM study).

The relationships between nutrition, metabolic response, early growth and later body weight have been investigated in human studies. The aim of this follow-up study was to assess the long-term effect of infant feeding on growth and to study whether the infant metabolome at the age of 4 months might predict anthropometry at 4 years of age. The Belgrade-Munich infant milk trial (BeMIM) was a randomized controlled trial in which healthy term infants received either a protein-reduced infant formula (1.89 g protein/100 kcal) containing alpha-lactalbumin enriched whey and long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA), or a standard formula (2.2 g protein/100 kcal) without LC-PUFA, focusing on safety and suitability. Non-randomized breastfed infants were used as a reference group. Of the 259 infants that completed the BeMIM study at the age of 4 months (anthropometry assessment and blood sampling), 187 children participated in a follow-up visit at 4 years of age. Anthropometry including weight, standing height, head circumference, and percent body fat was determined using skinfolds (triceps, subscapular) and bioelectrical impedance analysis. Plasma metabolite concentration, collected in samples at the age of 4 months, was measured using flow-injection tandem mass spectrometry. A linear regression model was applied to estimate the associations between each metabolite and growth with metabolites as an independent variable. At 4 years of age, there were no significant group differences in anthropometry and body composition between formula groups. Six metabolites (Asn, Lys, Met, Phe, Trp, Tyr) measured at 4 months of age were significantly associated with changes in weight-for-age z-score between 1 to 4 months of age and BMI-for-age z-score (Tyr only), after adjustment for feeding group. No correlation was found between measured metabolites and long-term growth (up to 4 years of age). No long-term effects of early growth patterns were shown on anthropometry at 4 years of age. The composition of infant formula influences the metabolic profile and early growth, while long-term programming effects were not observed in this study.

Osteohistology of Late Triassic prozostrodontian cynodonts from Brazil.

The Prozostrodontia includes a group of Late Triassic-Early Cretaceous eucynodonts plus the clade Mammaliaformes, in which Mammalia is nested. Analysing their growth patterns is thus important for understanding the evolution of mammalian life histories. Obtaining material for osteohistological analysis is difficult due to the rare and delicate nature of most of the prozostrodontian taxa, much of which comprises mostly of crania or sometimes even only teeth. Here we present a rare opportunity to observe the osteohistology of several postcranial elements of the basal prozostrodontid Prozostrodon brasiliensis, the tritheledontid Irajatherium hernandezi, and the brasilodontids Brasilodon quadrangularis and Brasilitherium riograndensis from the Late Triassic of Brazil (Santa Maria Supersequence). Prozostrodon and Irajatherium reveal similar growth patterns of rapid early growth with annual interruptions later in ontogeny. These interruptions are associated with wide zones of slow growing bone tissue. Brasilodon and Brasilitherium exhibit a mixture of woven-fibered bone tissue and slower growing parallel-fibered and lamellar bone. The slower growing bone tissues are present even during early ontogeny. The relatively slower growth in Brasilodon and Brasilitherium may be related to their small body size compared to Prozostrodon and Irajatherium. These brasilodontids also exhibit osteohistological similarities with the Late Triassic/Early Jurassic mammaliaform Morganucodon and the Late Cretaceous multituberculate mammals Kryptobaatar and Nemegtbaatar. This may be due to similar small body sizes, but may also reflect their close phylogenetic affinities as Brasilodon and Brasilitherium are the closest relatives to Mammaliaformes. However, when compared with similar-sized extant placental mammals, they may have grown more slowly to adult size as their osteohistology shows it took more than one year for growth to attenuate. Thus, although they exhibit rapid juvenile growth, the small derived, brasilodontid prozostrodontians still exhibit an extended growth period compared to similar-sized extant mammals.

The Influence of Ethnicity on Exclusively Breast-Fed Infants’ Anthropometry in a Multiethnic Asian Population

We studied the effects of ethnicity on early infant growth patterns in exclusively breast-fed (EBF) infants from a Singaporean multiethnic population. This was a prospective cohort study conducted in National University Hospital, Singapore. Healthy, EBF infants born at-term completing 37 weeks and above, and whose birthweight was appropriate for gestational age (>10th centile, <90th centile) were recruited. Infants were required to be EBF at least until the minimum age of weaning. All infants who were preterm and premature, formula-fed, required Intensive/High Dependency care, or born with major congenital anomalies were excluded. A multivariable linear regression analysis was conducted at 5 predetermined time-points (birth; 4-8 weeks; 3-4, 5-8, 12 months) to study the effects of antenatal/parental factors on infant growth. A total of 213 infants were recruited. Maternal age, height and body mass index positively influenced birthweights while maternal hypertension and paternal smoking negatively influenced birthweights. Mean duration of breastfeeding was 8.9 months. Chinese ethnicity did not influence birth anthropometry, but was the single consistent factor that significantly increased weight and length Z-scores from 4-8 weeks until 8 months of life. Chinese ethnicity did not influence head growth throughout the first year of life. EBF Chinese infants have increased weights and lengths compared to non-Chinese infants until 8 months' age, despite similar birth anthropometry. This period of discrepant growth coincides with the average duration of breastfeeding. We hypothesise that ethnic variations in breast milk macronutrient composition influence early somatic growth in infants.

Variations in early life history traits of Japanese anchovy Engraulis japonicus in the Yangtze River Estuary.

Resources of Japanese anchovy (Engraulis japonicus Temminck & Schlegel, 1846) are undergoing dramatic recessions in China as the consequence of intensifying anthropogenic activities. Elucidating the influences of local-scale environmental factors on early life history traits is of great importance to design strategies conserving and restoring the declining anchovy resources. In this research, we studied hatching date and early growth of anchovy in the Yangtze River Estuary (YRE) using information obtained from otolith microstructure. Onset of hatching season and growth rates of anchovy was compared to populations in Japan and Taiwan. In YRE, the hatching date of anchovy ranged from February 26th to April 6th and mean growth rate ranged from 0.27 to 0.77 mm/d. Anchovies hatching later had higher growth rates than individuals hatching earlier before the 25th day. Among populations, hatching onsets of anchovy from the higher latitude were later than populations in the lower latitude, and growth rates of anchovy in YRE were much lower than populations in Japan and Taiwan. Variations in hatching onsets and early growth patterns of anchovy thus provide important knowledge on understanding the adaptation of anchovy in YRE and designing management strategies on conserving China’s anchovy resources.

The capacity-load model of non-communicable disease risk: understanding the effects of child malnutrition, ethnicity and the social determinants of health.

The capacity-load model is a conceptual model developed to improve understanding of the life-course aetiology of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and their ecological and societal risk factors. The model addresses continuous associations of both (a) nutrition and growth patterns in early life and (b) lifestyle factors at older ages with NCD risk. Metabolic capacity refers to physiological traits strongly contingent on early nutrition and growth during the first 1000 days, which promote the long-term capacity for homeostasis in the context of fuel metabolism and cardiovascular health. Metabolic load refers to components of nutritional status and lifestyle that challenge homeostasis. The higher the load, and the lower the capacity, the greater the NCD risk. The model therefore helps understand dose-response associations of both early development and later phenotype with NCD risk. Infancy represents a critical developmental period, during which slow growth can constrain metabolic capacity, whereas rapid weight gain may elevate metabolic load. Severe acute malnutrition in early childhood (stunting, wasting) may continue to deplete metabolic capacity, and confer elevated susceptibility to NCDs in the long term. The model can be applied to associations of NCD risk with socio-economic position (SEP): lower SEP is generally associated with lower capacity but often also with elevated load. The model can also help explain ethnic differences in NCD risk, as both early growth patterns and later body composition differ systematically between ethnic groups. Recent work has begun to clarify the role of organ development in metabolic capacity, which may further contribute to ethnic differences in NCD risk.

Leaf-age dependent response of carotenoid accumulation to elevated CO2 in Arabidopsis

Carotenoids contribute to photosynthesis, photoprotection, phytohormone and apocarotenoid biosynthesis in plants. Carotenoid-derived metabolites control plant growth, development and signalling processes and their accumulation can depend upon changes in the environment. Elevated carbon dioxide (eCO2) often enhances carbon assimilation, early growth patterns and overall plant biomass, and may increase carotenoid accumulation due to higher levels of precursors from isoprenoid biosynthesis. Variable effects of eCO2 on carotenoid accumulation in leaves have been observed for different plant species. Here, we determined whether the variable response of carotenoids to eCO2 was potentially a function of leaf age and the impact of eCO2 on leaf development by growing Arabidopsis in ambient CO2 (400 ppm) and eCO2 (800 ppm). eCO2 increased plant leaf number, rosette area, biomass, seed yield and net photosynthesis. In addition, eCO2 increased carotenoid content by 10–20% in younger emerging leaves, but not in older mature leaves. Older leaves contained approximately 60% less total carotenoids compared to younger leaves. The age-dependent effect on carotenoid content was observed for cotyledon, juvenile and adult phase leaves. We conclude that younger leaves utilize additional carbon from enhanced photosynthesis in eCO2 to increase carotenoid content, yet older leaves have less capacity to store additional carbon into carotenoids.

Early life growth patterns persist for 12 years and impact pulmonary outcomes in cystic fibrosis

BackgroundIn children with cystic fibrosis (CF), recovery from growth faltering within 2 years of diagnosis (Responders) is associated with better growth and less lung disease at age 6 years. This study examined whether these benefits are sustained through 12 years of age. MethodsLongitudinal growth from 76 children with CF enrolled in the Wisconsin CF Neonatal Screening Project was examined and categorized into 5 groups: R12, R6, and R2, representing Responders who maintained growth improvement to age 12, 6, and 2 years, respectively, and I6 and N6, representing Non-responders whose growth did and did not improve during ages 2–6 years, respectively. Lung disease was evaluated by % predicted forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and chest radiograph (CXR) scores. ResultsSixty-two percent were Responders. Within this group, 47% were R12, 28% were R6, and 25% were R2. Among Non-responders, 76% were N6. CF children with meconium ileus (MI) had worse lung function and CXR scores compared to other CF children. Among 53 children with pancreatic insufficiency without MI, R12 had significantly better FEV1 (97–99% predicted) and CXR scores during ages 6–12 years than N6 (89–93% predicted). Both R6 and R2 experienced a decline in FEV1 by ages 10–12 years. ConclusionsEarly growth recovery in CF is critical, as malnutrition during infancy tends to persist and catch-up growth after age 2 years is difficult. The longer adequate growth was maintained after early growth recovery, the better the pulmonary outcomes at age 12 years.

Breast Milk Lipidome Is Associated with Early Growth Trajectory in Preterm Infants.

Human milk is recommended for feeding preterm infants. The current pilot study aims to determine whether breast-milk lipidome had any impact on the early growth-pattern of preterm infants fed their own mother’s milk. A prospective-monocentric-observational birth-cohort was established, enrolling 138 preterm infants, who received their own mother’s breast-milk throughout hospital stay. All infants were ranked according to the change in weight Z-score between birth and hospital discharge. Then, we selected infants who experienced “slower” (n = 15, −1.54 ± 0.42 Z-score) or “faster” (n = 11, −0.48 ± 0.19 Z-score) growth; as expected, although groups did not differ regarding gestational age, birth weight Z-score was lower in the “faster-growth” group (0.56 ± 0.72 vs. −1.59 ± 0.96). Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry lipidomic signatures combined with multivariate analyses made it possible to identify breast-milk lipid species that allowed clear-cut discrimination between groups. Validation of the selected biomarkers was performed using multidimensional statistical, false-discovery-rate and ROC (Receiver Operating Characteristic) tools. Breast-milk associated with faster growth contained more medium-chain saturated fatty acid and sphingomyelin, dihomo-γ-linolenic acid (DGLA)-containing phosphethanolamine, and less oleic acid-containing triglyceride and DGLA-oxylipin. The ability of such biomarkers to predict early-growth was validated in presence of confounding clinical factors but remains to be ascertained in larger cohort studies.

Growth scaling for the early dynamics of HIV/AIDS epidemics in Brazil and the influence of socio-demographic factors

The early dynamics of an infectious disease outbreak can be affected by various factors including the transmission mode of the disease and host-specific factors. While recent works have highlighted the presence of sub-exponential growth patterns during the early phase of epidemics, empirical studies examining the contribution of different factors to early epidemic growth dynamics are lacking. Here we aim to characterize and explain the early incidence growth patterns of local HIV/AIDS epidemics in Brazil as a function of socio-demographic factors. For this purpose, we accessed annual AIDS incidence series and state-level socio-demographic variables from publicly available databases. To characterize the early growth dynamics of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, we employed the generalized-growth model to estimate with quantified uncertainty the scaling of growth parameter (p) which captures growth patterns ranging from constant incidence (p=0) to sub-exponential (0 < p < 1) and exponential growth dynamics (p=1) at three spatial scales: national, regional, and state levels. We evaluated the relationship between socio-demographic variables and epidemic growth patterns across 27 Brazilian states using mixed-effect regression analyses. We found wide variation in the early dynamics of the AIDS epidemic in Brazil, displaying sub-exponential growth patterns with the p parameter estimated substantially below 1.0. The mean p was estimated to be 0.81 at the national level, with a range of 0.72–0.85 at the regional level, and a range of 0.28–0.96 at the state level. Our findings support the notion that socio-demographic factors contribute to shaping the early growth dynamics of the epidemic at the local level. Gini index and socio-demographic index were negatively associated with the parameter p, whereas urbanicity was positively associated with p. The results could have theoretical significance in understanding differences in growth scaling across different sexually transmitted disease systems, and have public health implications to guide control.

Nutritional Programming Effects on the Immune System.

The relationship between patterns of early growth and age-associated diseases such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease is well established. There is also strong evidence from both human and animal studies that early environmental factors such as maternal nutrition may influence lifespan. Interestingly, more recent studies have demonstrated that nutritional programming in early life effects immunity, such that altered lifespan can also lead to programmed changes in immune function. Here we describe the use of immunohistology and flow cytometry techniques to study two key immune lymphoid organs: one that is involved in developing immune cells (thymus) and another which is the site of immune activation (spleen).

Infant feeding recommendations – a time of change?

Infant feeding recommendations – a time of change?

Growth patterns in early juvenile idiopathic arthritis: Results from the Childhood Arthritis Prospective Study (CAPS).

ObjectivesTo investigate early vertical growth patterns and factors associated with poor growth in a modern inception cohort of UK children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) using data from the Childhood Arthritis Prospective Study (CAPS).MethodsA study period of 3 years was chosen. Children included in this analysis had a physician diagnosis of JIA and had height measurements available at both baseline and at 3-years of follow-up. Height is presented as z-scores calculated using World Health Organisation growth standards for age and gender. Growth over the 3-year period was assessed using change in z-score and height velocity. Univariable and multivariable linear regressions were used to identify factors associated with height z-score at baseline and change of height z-score at 3 years.Results568 patients were included; 65% female, median baseline age 7.4 years [interquartile range (IQR) 3.6, 11.2], median symptom duration at presentation 5.5 months [IQR 3.1, 11.6]. Height z-score decreased significantly from baseline to 3 years (p ≤ 0.0001); baseline median height z-score was −0.02 (IQR −0.71, 0.61), decreasing to −0.47 (IQR −1.12, 0.24) at 3 years. Growth restriction, defined as change of height z-score ≤−0.5, was observed in 39% of patients. At 3 years, higher baseline height z-score was the strongest predictor for a negative change in height z-score [−0.3 per unit of baseline height z-score (95% CI: −0.36, −0.24), p < 0.0001].ConclusionsAlthough overall height at 3 years after initial presentation to rheumatology is within the population norm, as a cohort, children with JIA experience a reduction of growth in height over the first 3 years of disease. Late presentation to paediatric rheumatology services is associated with lower height at presentation. However, patients with the lowest height z scores at presentation were also the most likely to see an improvement at 3 years. The impact of JIA on growth patterns is important to children and families and this study provides useful new data to support informed clinical care.

The combination of bivariate and multivariate methods to analyze character synchronization and early allometric growth patterns in the stellate sturgeon (Acipenser stellatus) as tools for better understanding larval behavior

Multivariate allometry patterns and length at metamorphosis (Lm) were determined in Acipenser stellatus by means of principal component analysis from 12 morphometric characters. The multivariate analysis differentiated three growth stanzas: the prelarval, larval, and early juvenile stages. The prelarval stage comprised the period from hatching (9.7 mm in total length, TL) to the transition to exogenous feeding (17.7 mm TL, Lm1), a period characterized by yolk sac depletion and fast growth of the anterior and posterior body regions. These changes coincided with the development of sensory, feeding, respiratory, and swimming systems to improve foraging behavior and predator avoidance. During the larval period (17.7–52.8 mm, Lm1–Lm2), specimens reached a juvenile phenotype characterized by the development of median fins, elongation and flattening of the snout and formation of bony scutes, and the improvement of their swimming capacities, allowing larvae to regulate their dispersal distance from the spawning grounds. The end of the larval period and acquisition of the juvenile phenotype were found after Lm2when some variables reached isometry or even displayed a negative allometric growth.

Postnatal Craniofacial Skeletal Development of Female C57BL/6NCrl Mice.

The craniofacial skeleton is a complex and unique structure. The perturbation of its development can lead to craniofacial dysmorphology and associated morbidities. Our ability to prevent or mitigate craniofacial skeletal anomalies is at least partly dependent on our understanding of the unique physiological development of the craniofacial skeleton. Mouse models are critical tools for the study of craniofacial developmental abnormalities. However, there is a lack of detailed normative data of mouse craniofacial skeletal development in the literature. In this report, we employed high-resolution micro-computed tomography (μCT) in combination with morphometric measurements to analyze the postnatal craniofacial skeletal development from day 7 (P7) through day 390 (P390) of female C57BL/6NCrl mice, a widely used mouse strain. Our data demonstrates a unique craniofacial skeletal development pattern in female C57BL/6NCrl mice, and differentiates the early vs. late craniofacial growth patterns. Additionally, our data documents the complex and differential changes in bone parameters (thickness, bone volume, bone volume/tissue volume, bone mineral density, and tissue mineral density) of various craniofacial bones with different embryonic origins and ossification mechanisms during postnatal growth, which underscores the complexity of craniofacial bone development and provides a reference standard for future quantitative analysis of craniofacial bones.

Quantifying establishment limitations during the ecological restoration of species‐rich Nardus grassland

AbstractAimsSuccessful establishment of species‐rich Nardus grasslands on ex‐agricultural land requires identification and removal of barriers to effective seed germination and seedling survival. Therefore, we investigate how germination and early development are affected by soil conditions from different restoration phases and how this relates to their specific plant strategies.LocationGrasslands and experiments in northern Belgium.MethodsWe selected three grassland restoration phases (Lolium perenne grasslands, grass–herb mix grasslands and species‐rich Nardus grasslands), which were characterized by a distinct plant community and soils with contrasting abiotic and biotic properties (respectively, eutrophic, mesotrophic and oligotrophic soils). In a first germination experiment we investigated the species‐specific responses (germination, lag time and emergence rate) of 70 grassland species (that typically occur along the restoration gradient) in each of the selected soils. Second, a mesocosm experiment was set‐up in which a mixture of 19 species (representative of the distinct grassland restoration phases) was grown together in the respective soils. Here, we analysed the intraspecific variation of plant growth, SLA and identified changes in community assembly.ResultsIrrespective of soil influences, Nardus grassland species had significantly lower germination potentials and longer germination lag times than L. perenne grassland species. Germination (and its lag time) of grass–herb mix grassland species were negatively affected by the oligotrophic soils. Soil factors determined early growth patterns during the emergence and establishment phase. L. perenne grassland species exhibited a more plastic growth response and were highly dependent on soil type. Nardus grassland species exhibited large intraspecific variation in SLA, which was found to be significantly lower in the oligotrophic soils. Even though the difference in bio‐available P between mesotrophic and oligotrophic soils was minor, Nardus grassland species were only able to compete in the oligotrophic soils (no significant difference in biomass between communities). Mesotrophic mesocosms exhibited the highest species richness after 200 d of growth.ConclusionPlant species from the three grassland restoration phases display distinct germination strategies, irrespective of soil type. Interactions between growth strategies and soil factors determine competitive asymmetry and therefore shape community assembly in the distinct grassland phases.

WS05.3 Persistent early life growth patterns through age 12 years are associated with pulmonary outcomes

WS05.3 Persistent early life growth patterns through age 12 years are associated with pulmonary outcomes

Early Life Growth Predictors of Childhood Adiposity Trajectories and Future Risk for Obesity: Birth to Twenty Cohort.

There is growing evidence of variations in adiposity trajectories among individuals, but the influence of early life growth patterns on these trajectories is underresearched in low- and middle-income countries. Therefore, our aim was to examine the association between early life conditional weight gain and childhood adiposity trajectories. We previously identified distinct adiposity trajectories (four for girls and three for boys) in black South African children (boys = 877; girls = 947). The association between the trajectories and early life growth patterns, and future obesity risk was assessed by multivariate linear and multinomial logistic and logistic regressions. Conditional weight gain independent of height was computed for infancy (0-2 years) and early childhood (2-4 years). Conditional weight gain before 5 years of age was significantly associated with early onset of obesity or overweight (excess weight) BMI trajectories in both boys and girls. In girls, greater conditional weight gain in infancy was associated with increased relative risk of being in the early-onset obese to morbid obese trajectory, with relative risk ratios of 2.03 (95% confidence interval: 1.17-3.52) compared to belonging to a BMI trajectory in the normal range. Boys and girls in the early-onset obesity or overweight BMI trajectories were more likely to be overweight or obese in early adulthood. Excessive weight gain in infancy and early childhood, independent of linear growth, predicts childhood and adolescent BMI trajectories toward obesity. These results underscore the importance of early life factors in the development of obesity and other NCDs in later life.

Developmental origin of limb size variation in lizards.

In many respects, reptile hatchlings are fully functional, albeit miniature, adults. This means that the adult morphology must emerge during embryonic development. This insight emphasizes the connection between the mechanisms that generate phenotypic variation during embryonic development and the action of selection on post-hatching individuals. To determine when species-specific differences in limb and tail lengths emerge during embryonic development, we compared allometric patterns of early limb growth of four distantly related species of lizards. The major questions addressed were whether early embryonic limb and tail growth is characterized by the gradual (continuous allometry) or by the abrupt emergence (transpositional allometry) of size differences among species. Our observations supported transpositional allometry of both limbs and tails. Species-specific differences in limb and tail length were exhibited when limb and tail buds first protruded from the body wall. Genes known to be associated with early limb development of tetrapods are obvious targets for studies on the genetic mechanisms that determine interspecific differences in relative limb length. Broadly comparative studies of gene regulation would facilitate understanding of the mechanisms underlying adaptive variation in limb size, including limb reduction and loss, of squamate reptiles.

Does selection on horn length of males and females differ in protected and hunted populations of a weakly dimorphic ungulate?

Weaponry in ungulates may be costly to grow and maintain, and different selective pressures in males and females may lead to sex‐biased natural survival. Sexual differences in the relationship between weapon growth and survival may increase under anthropogenic selection through culling, for example because of trophy hunting. Selection on weaponry growth under different scenarios has been largely investigated in males of highly dimorphic ungulates, for which survival costs (either natural or hunting related) are thought to be greatest. Little is known, however, about the survival costs of weaponry in males and females of weakly dimorphic species. We collected information on horn length and age at death/shooting of 407 chamois Rupicapra rupicapra in a protected population and in two hunted populations with different hunting regimes, to explore sexual differences in the selection on early horn growth under contrasting selective pressures. We also investigated the variation of horn growth and body mass in yearling males (n = 688) and females (n = 539) culled in one of the hunted populations over 14 years. The relationship between horn growth and survival showed remarkable sexual differences under different evolutionary scenarios. Within the protected population, under natural selection, we found no significant trade‐off in either males or females. Under anthropogenic pressure, selection on early horn growth of culled individuals showed diametrically opposed sex‐biased patterns, depending on the culling regime and hunters’ preferences. Despite the selective bias between males and females in one of the hunted populations, we did not detect significant sex‐specific differences in the long‐term pattern of early growth. The relationship between early horn growth and natural survival in either sex might suggest stabilizing selection on horn size in chamois. Selection through culling can be strongly sex‐biased also in weakly dimorphic species, depending on hunters’ preferences and hunting regulations, and long‐term data are needed to reveal potential undesirable evolutionary consequences.