Leptin promotes the fat preference associated with low-temperature acclimation in mice

Area of Science:

• Metabolic physiology
• Animal behavior
• Environmental adaptation

Background:

• Energy metabolism fluctuations impact food intake and nutrient selection.
• The effect of habitat temperature on food preference and underlying mechanisms remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• Investigate how habitat temperature affects appetite and food preference in mice.
• Elucidate the physiological mechanisms, particularly the role of leptin, linking low temperatures to changes in food preference.

Main Methods:

• Conducted feeding experiments on mice acclimated to different temperatures (10°C vs. control).
• Performed leptin administration tests to assess its effect on food preference in cold-acclimated mice.
• Measured plasma leptin concentrations to correlate with observed feeding behaviors.

Main Results:

• Mice reared at 10°C exhibited increased food intake and a significant preference for high-fat diets (HFD).
• This HFD preference in the cold-acclimated group was associated with decreased plasma leptin concentration.
• Leptin administration to cold-acclimated mice abolished the preference for HFD, unlike the control group.

Conclusions:

• Low ambient temperature can alter food preferences, specifically increasing the inclination towards high-fat diets.
• Decreased plasma leptin concentration is a key mediator of increased appetite and HFD preference in cold-acclimated mice.
• Leptin plays a dual role in cold acclimation: suppressing appetite and inhibiting the preference for lipids.