Animal Models for Manipulation of Thermogenesis

Body weight is determined by the balance between energy intake and energy expenditure. Energy expenditure is comprised of four major facets, including basal metabolic rate, physical activity, nonexercise activity thermogenesis, and adaptive thermogenesis. This chapter discusses the role of energy expenditure and, in particular, adaptive thermogenesis in the control of body weight. Adaptive thermogenesis occurs via futile cellular cycles in response to both cold and dietary stimuli. This process occurs in brown adipose tissue (BAT), beige adipocytes, and skeletal muscle. This chapter highlights the differential contribution of adipose and muscle thermogenesis to the development of obesity in a variety of animal models. In this regard, large animal models have been particularly useful in delineating the roles of BAT and skeletal muscle in the control of body weight.