An experimental mouse model of obesity can be generated by feeding a high-fat diet (HFD) or very high-fat diet (VHFD) for a set period, with the diet chosen for your study. Differences in body weight can appear as soon as 2 weeks after starting HFD. After 4 weeks many mice begin to show hyperglycemia, and the full obese phenotype is measurable after 16 weeks. Within 16 to 20 weeks mice may gain 20 to 30% in body weight, with adipocyte hyperplasia, fat deposition in the mesentery, increased fat mass, diabetes and hypertension.

How much obesity develops depends on the diet's fat content and how long the mice are on it, and the severity of metabolic changes varies between animals. The Animal Care Core works with you on feeding duration and on the percent and composition of fat in the diet.

Protocol: High-fat diet feeding