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Updated: Jun 10, 2026
Body Composition and Metabolic Caging Analysis in High Fat Fed Mice
Published on: May 24, 2018
Altered body mass regulation in male mPeriod mutant mice on high-fat diet
Robert Dallmann1, David R Weaver
1Department of Neurobiology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA. Robert@dallmanns.de
Abstract:
The circadian clock orchestrates most physiological processes in mammals. Disruption of circadian rhythms appears to contribute to the development of obesity and metabolic syndrome. The Period genes mPer1 and mPer2, but not mPer3, are essential for core clock function in mice. To assess the impact of mPer genes on body mass regulation, mPer mutant and control mice were fed a high-fat diet. Here the authors report that male mPer1/2/3 triple-deficient mice gain significantly more body mass than wild-type controls on high-fat diet. Surprisingly, mPer3 single-deficient animals mimicked this phenotype, suggesting a previously unrecognized role for mPer3 in body mass regulation.
Insights
The circadian clock regulates mammalian physiology. This study found that disrupting Period (mPer) genes, particularly mPer3, significantly increases body mass gain in mice fed a high-fat diet, suggesting a role in obesity.
Area of Science:
- Chronobiology
- Metabolic Regulation
- Genetics
Background:
- The mammalian circadian clock controls physiological processes, and its disruption is linked to obesity and metabolic syndrome.
- Period (mPer) genes mPer1 and mPer2 are crucial for core clock function in mice, while mPer3's role is less understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of mPer gene disruption on body mass regulation.
- To assess the role of mPer1, mPer2, and mPer3 in diet-induced obesity.
Main Methods:
- Generation of mPer1/2/3 triple-deficient mice and mPer3 single-deficient mice.
- Feeding mutant and control mice a high-fat diet.
- Monitoring body mass gain.
Main Results:
- Male mPer1/2/3 triple-deficient mice exhibited significantly greater body mass gain compared to wild-type controls when fed a high-fat diet.
- Mice deficient in only mPer3 also showed increased body mass gain, similar to the triple-deficient group.
- These findings highlight a previously unrecognized role for mPer3 in regulating body mass.
Conclusions:
- The Period genes, including mPer3, play a significant role in regulating body mass.
- Disruption of mPer3 alone can lead to increased body mass gain on a high-fat diet, suggesting its importance in preventing obesity.
- Circadian clock genes are critical targets for understanding and potentially treating metabolic disorders like obesity.
