Review on the induction of obesity in laboratory animals

Abstract

Valid animal models are essential for successful screening of novel therapeutic strategies against all types of diseases. Development or selection of an animal model that resembles the human disease process and symptoms is dependent on a robust knowledge of the natural history and pathogenesis of the disease. The use of animal models thus becomes to understand the underlying physiological and genetic basis of energy regulation, taste and smell perception and food choice behaviour. Obesity is a chronic metabolic disorder which results from multiple etiologies like genetic, physiological, epigenetic and environmental factors. Animal models of obesity include direct measurement of food intake to long-term studies in animals exhibiting continuous overconsumption of food containing high calories and fat. It is of prime importance that we must choose the right models with high face, construct and predictive validity. Failing to select and use appropriate animal models impede successful discovery and development of safer and more potent therapeutics and prevent wastage of money and time. We have thus provided a short review on currently available animal models of obesity. We discuss different method of induction of obesity in laboratory animals as well as the transgenic animals used in anti obesity drug discovery.