Obesity Mouse Models
Since 1998, ingenious targeting laboratory has supported obesity research with custom mouse models enabling mechanistic studies of energy homeostasis, adipose tissue biology, and metabolic dysfunction underlying the global obesity epidemic.
Obesity mouse models provide essential platforms for investigating the molecular pathways regulating appetite, energy expenditure, and fat storage.
Genetic Obesity Models
Leptin (ob/ob)
Spontaneous mutation in leptin. Severe obesity due to hyperphagia and reduced energy expenditure. Established leptin as key regulator of energy balance.
Leptin Receptor (db/db)
Mutations in leptin receptor producing leptin resistance. Also used for diabetes research due to pronounced hyperglycemia.
MC4R Knockout
Melanocortin 4 receptor knockout produces severe obesity. MC4R mutations are most common monogenic cause of human obesity.
POMC Knockout
Proopiomelanocortin deficiency eliminates alpha MSH, producing obesity with pigmentation defects.
Diet Induced Obesity Models
C57BL/6 on High Fat Diet
Most common obesity model. Susceptible to diet induced obesity, insulin resistance, and fatty liver on 45 to 60% fat diet.
Genetic + DIO
Knockout or knockin alleles combined with high fat diet reveal gene diet interactions and obesity susceptibility modifiers.
Strain Comparisons
Different inbred strains show varying susceptibility. A/J mice relatively resistant compared to C57BL/6.
Tissue Specific Targets
Phenotyping Endpoints
Body Composition
- Body weight curves
- DEXA/MRI fat and lean mass
- Adipose depot weights
Metabolic
- Food intake monitoring
- Indirect calorimetry (O2, CO2)
- Core temperature
- Physical activity
Glucose/Lipid
- IPGTT/OGTT
- Insulin tolerance
- Plasma lipids
- Hepatic triglycerides
What Researchers Say
“iTL produced a new conditional mouse model for us and the quality of service was exceptional. The team is extremely knowledgeable and the work was completed at the highest possible standards. My project manager was excellent and always happy to answer technical questions and keep me up to date with progress and potential problems. I would recommend iTL highly and will use them again in the future if I need to generate a new mouse line.”
— Albert Basson, PhD
King's College London
Start Your Obesity Model Project
Our scientific consultants can help design custom obesity models tailored to your research questions, whether studying central regulation, peripheral metabolism, or therapeutic interventions.