Food and water intake in gold thioglucose-induced obese Charles River mice.

Food and water intake have been measured during the dynamic phase of gold thioglucose-induced obesity in Charles River mice. Regressions of gain in weight with food and water consumption were calculated in young growing animals and in adults fed ad libitum. The influence of fat content in the diet (2.5 and 8% fat) and environmental temperature (68degrees or 79degrees F) was estimated on the regressions. Excessive gain in weight without hyperphagia was observed in growing animals, in adults fed on a fat-enriched diet or maintained within a thermoneutral environment (79degrees F). But a significant hyperphagia was observed in adults fed with a conventional diet and maintained at 68degrees F or in growing animals as a sequela of food deprivation.