If the circulatory system of an ob/ob mouse is surgically joined to that of a normal mouse, what will be the eff ect on the appetite and weight of the ob/ob mouse?
If the circulatory system of an ob/ob mouse is surgically joined to that of a normal mouse, what will be the eff ect on the appetite and weight of the ob/ob mouse?
The process of food intake and energy output is a complex and physiologically regulated process in animals. The ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus is involved in the control of body weight as it regulates food intake and energy consumption. The lipostatic theory suggests that a product of fat metabolism circulates in the system which maintains body weight and appetite. The product of fat metabolism is known as Leptin (OB), a satiety factor that circulates in the body to maintain body weight and appetite.
Leptin is a 146 amino acid non-glycosylated polypeptide secreted by mature adipocyte. The gene that codes for Leptin is known as the ob gene which is composed of two introns and three exons. The genetical studies on the obesity gene led to the finding that two genes are involved in maintaining the bodyweight: ob and db.
- ob/ob mouse – the mouse which does not produce leptin and thus will become insensitive to the satiety factor. As a result, the mouse will become obese.
- Normal mouse-produce leptin which maintains their body weight.
The parabiosis experiments were performed on the mouse by making a suture on the two mice and surgically joining the cardiovascular system of these two mice. This allows the sharing of the cardiovascular system between the two mice.
When the parabiosis experiment is performed between a normal mouse and an ob/ob mouse then it will lead to a change in the appetite and body weight. The satiety factor, leptin formed in the normal mouse will enter the body of the ob/ob mouse where it will be recognised by the ventromedial nucleus. This will result in the loss of body weight and reduced appetite in the obese ob/ob mouse.
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