Temperature preference of genetically obese (ob/ob) mice

Area of Science:

• Physiology
• Thermoregulation
• Obesity Research

Background:

• Adiposity influences energy balance and thermoregulation.
• Understanding how obesity affects preferred ambient temperature is crucial for metabolic research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the preferred ambient temperature selection in genetically obese (ob/ob) mice compared to lean controls.
• To determine if adiposity impacts thermoregulatory set-point or heat loss mechanisms.

Main Methods:

• Genetically obese (ob/ob) and lean mice were placed in a thermal gradient.
• Preferred ambient temperature was identified as the temperature selected for sleep during daylight hours.
• Body temperature and pretest body temperature were recorded.

Main Results:

• Lean mice selected a preferred ambient temperature of 31.2°C, maintaining a body temperature of 36.7°C.
• Obese mice selected a cooler preferred ambient temperature of 29.4°C.
• Obese mice achieved a final body temperature of 36.8°C, a 1.8°C increase from their pretest temperature.

Conclusions:

• Obese mice select cooler ambient temperatures than lean mice.
• The data suggest adiposity affects heat loss, leading to cooler preferred temperatures in obese mice.
• There is no evidence of a diminished thermoregulatory set-point in obese mice.