Reduced activity without hyperphagia contributes to obesity in Tubby mutant mice

The Tub gene was originally identified as a spontaneous mutation in C57Bl/6J mice, and associated with adult-onset obesity (Tub MUT mice). Although the original Tub MUT mouse was identified over 15 years ago, there have been few reports on the animal's food intake, body fat percentage or energy expenditure. In this study, we report food intake, body weight from 5–20 weeks, body fat, body temperature and three different measures of physical activity behavior. Tub MUT mice display reduced food intake, uncharacteristic of many obese mouse models, and reduced voluntary wheel running with normal home cage ambulatory behavior. We conclude that motivation for food and exercise is an underlying defect in TUB MUT mice.