Estimation of body fat in normal and obese mice

Abstract

1. Lee Index (weight (g0.33)÷ 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.