Predation risk modulates diet-induced obesity in male C57BL/6 mice

Obesity
Rita I MonarcaJohn R Speakman

Abstract

In this study, the behavioral and physiological changes induced by experimentally varying the risk of predation in male mice fed a high-fat diet were examined. In particular, the study aimed to assess whether the risk of being predated modulates the body weight gain, providing an ecological context for the obesity resistance observed in many species of small mammals. Body weight, food intake, physical activity, and core body temperature of 35 male C57BL/6 mice were monitored for 20 days, while feeding a high-fat diet. A third of the animals were exposed to elevated risk of predation through exposure to the sounds of nocturnal predatory birds, and these were compared to animals exposed to a neutral noise or silence. Male mice exposed to predation risk had significantly lower weight gain than the neutral or silent groups. Reduced food intake and increased physical activity were the main proximal factors explaining this effect. The risk of predation also induced changes in boldness. This study provides evidence supporting the role of predation risk on body weight gain of small mammals.

References

Nov 5, 1997·International Journal of Obesity and Related Metabolic Disorders : Journal of the International Association for the Study of Obesity·P A TataranniE Ravussin
May 25, 1999·General and Comparative Endocrinology·W GoymannH Hofer
Jan 8, 2000·Physiology & Behavior·H A El-BakryT J Bartness
Apr 12, 2001·Proceedings. Biological Sciences·L K Gentle, A G Gosler
Sep 21, 2001·Physiology & Behavior·W L Peacock, J R Speakman
Jan 26, 2002·British Medical Bulletin·A M Prentice
Jun 12, 2003·Behavioural Brain Research·David Eilam
Feb 24, 2004·Annual Review of Physiology·Fritz Geiser
Aug 9, 2005·Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews·Raimund ApfelbachIain S McGregor
May 17, 2006·Trends in Ecology & Evolution·Andrew SihJ Chadwick Johnson
Apr 18, 2007·Biological Reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society·Denis RéaleNiels J Dingemanse
Nov 7, 2007·Cell Metabolism·Akira KohsakaJoseph Bass
Mar 24, 2009·The Journal of Animal Ecology·Frank Johansson, Jens Andersson
Sep 13, 2011·Physiology & Behavior·Li-Na ZhangJohn R Speakman
Dec 30, 2011·Computers in Biology and Medicine·Carlos Fernando Crispim JuniorJosé Marino-Neto
May 15, 2013·SpringerPlus·Wataru MizunoyaYoshihide Ikeuchi
Apr 30, 2014·Twin Research and Human Genetics : the Official Journal of the International Society for Twin Studies·Yun-Mi SongJoohon Sung

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Jul 28, 2016·Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience·Elizabeth A Genné-BaconRalph J DiLeone
Mar 9, 2018·The Journal of Experimental Biology·John R Speakman
Feb 6, 2017·The Journal of Experimental Biology·Carly E PettettDavid W Macdonald
Mar 14, 2020·The Journal of Experimental Biology·Erin GorrellColleen M Novak

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.