In one of my experiment, I am observing that the animals (Balb/c mice) feeding on high-fat diet are having goosebumps along with a increase in their body weights as compared to control diet-fed animals. What could be the possible reason for it?
This is fascinating. Just to clarify you mean goosebumps like piloerection right? Their fur is standing up straight? Unfortunately the answer is not straightforward as it may occur from many causes. For one, piloerection in mice is often a sign of ill health or distress (not good). It is in fact one of the markers used by vet techs to assess the health of an animal and one of the first warning signs that something is not right. In some animals it can also be considered an aggressive or defensive response where the animal is trying to make itself appear bigger than it is. The porcupine for instance using piloerection to raise its quills in defense, whereas a cat may do it in conjunction with arching its back to appear larger than it really is. I honestly do not know why a high-fat diet might do this and I can tell you directly that I have never observed this in c57/bl6J mice fed a highfat diet, even once they are morbidly obese. They may have greasy fur and groom improperly so the hair stands up a bit on the back but it is not accompanied by actually goosebumps. At least not that I have ever noticed. I will look for this from now on.
I routinely see piloerction for the reasons already mentioned by previous responder. I have also seen mice with extremely greasy haircoats while on the high fat diet, so it may be possible a combination of lack of grooming and the greasy haircoat are causing plugging in the hair follicles,which could cause little bumps.
Hello Sajid,
Could it be a thermoregulatory response?
Maybe you can give the following information: How long have the mice been on this diet? How old are they?Are they kept in single housing or groups? Do they ahve nesting material or a shelter? Did the housing change with the change in diet?
Cheers, Laura
Dr Blum, Dr Springer, Dr Clemens..Thank you so much for your invaluable responses.
These days, the mice are not showing as much piloerection as they were showing previously. I think the mice have now been adapted to high fat diet.
Dr Clemens, Please see the following answers to your queries.
It was appeared after about one week of putting them on high-fat diet.
The mice were 8-9 weeks old at that time.
They are kept in groups.
They have nesting material.
Housing is changed almost weekly.
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