On the analytical solution for the Putter-Bertalanffy growth equation

This study develops the basic idea of Putter and Bertalanffy addressing the allometric scaling of anabolism and catabolism on somatic growth dynamics. We proposed a standardized form of the Putter-Bertalanffy equation (PBE), which is given as the extended model of Richards function, and subsequently solved it The analytical solution of the PBE was defined by an incomplete beta function and can take a wide range of shapes in its growth curve. The mathematical behavior of PBE due to the change in parameter values was briefly discussed. Most forms of solution consistently hold the implicit functional type with respect to the variable of body size. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.