Estimation of body fat in normal and obese mice

Abstract

1. Lee Index (weight (g0.33) divided by nasoanal length (mm)), density, body water and proportional weight of the gonadal fat pad were tested as estimates of body fat in a normal population of mice and a population which included obese mice. 2. In a normal population only body water and fat-pad weight correlated significantly with body fat. 3. In a population of normal and obese mice all four indices correlated significantly with body fat. 4. Lee Index had little advantage over weight:length as an estimate of body fat, and density did not correlate well enough to be used as a method of estimation. 5. Proportional weight of the gonadal fat pad is recommended as a simple reliable estimate of body fat in normal or obese mice.