Diet-induced obesity (DIO) service

Background information

The dense high-caloric diets and sedentary lifestyles prevalent worldwide in 21st century culture have sharply increased the incidence of obesity. Not only is obesity a serious health and economic burden, but it also predisposes people to a variety of other diseases, especially type 2 diabetes. Consequently, obesity and type 2 diabetes are being intensively studied in animal models, particularly the mouse. One such model is commonly referred to as the diet-induced obese (DIO) model. Typically, C57BL/6J (B6) males are fed a high fat diet for 8 to 12 weeks and, as a result, become obese, mildly to moderately hyperglycemic, and develop impaired glucose tolerance. These mice are then used to study the genetic and physiological mechanisms of obesity and type 2 diabetes.

The Jackson Laboratory collaborates with Research Diets, Inc. to provide DIO mice to the research community. Research Diets offers the widest range of purified diets to produce DIO mice. Their three most popular DIO diets, D12451i (45 kcal% fat), D12331i - with sucrose (58 kcal% fat), and D12492i (60 kcal% fat), are used extensively by academic, pharmaceutical and biotechnology institutions.1-8 The Jackson Laboratory provides researchers two ways to work with the DIO B6 model: Inventoried DIO Mice and Made-to-Order DIO Mice.

Figure 1. Mean body weights (g +/- SEM) for groups of B6 males (n=20-44) fed 10%, 45%, and 60% diets from 6 to 17 weeks of age. Figure 2. Mean blood glucose levels (mg/dl +/- SEM) for groups of 17- to 19-week old B6 males (n=10-33) fed 10%, 45%, and 60% fat diets for 11-13 weeks (data obtained by glucose tolerance test).

JAX® inventoried DIO mice

We maintain in inventory male B6 mice fed a 60 kcal% fat diet (Research Diets Inc. D12492i) from 6 weeks of age through 26 weeks of age. These mice are ready to ship to you to undertake your study. We also maintain in inventory male B6 mice fed an appropriate control diet (D12450Bi) which has the same protein (by kcal) but a lower fat content (10 kcal%). Mice are available only from our Bar Harbor facilities in limited quantities on a first come/first serve basis. To place an order for these mice, please send an e-mail to DIOemail@jax.org or call 1-800-422-MICE (6423) and ask for a DIO representative.

Learn more about JAX® Inventoried DIO Mice

Subscribe to the weekly DIO Mice Inventory Report E-mail

JAX® made-to-order DIO mice

We will custom make DIO B6 mice to meet your specific research requirements either using Standard Protocols we have developed or Custom Protocols. DIO services are available from both our Bar Harbor and JAX® West facilities.

Standard DIO service

We have developed standard protocols for husbandry and shipping of DIO mice. Randomly selected C57BL/6J males are housed either 8 or 10 to a weaning cage and fed one of two standard high fat diets (D12451i, D12492i) or the control diet (D12450Bi) from 6 to 18 weeks of age (12 weeks duration). During that time, they have ad libitum access to diet and water, and are routinely monitored and weighed. Projects can be initiated rapidly as mice and diets are on hand in ample quantities.

Custom DIO service

Researchers can select not only from the male B6 model but can use other strains of mice that may be receptive to development of diet induced obesity. We will work with you to design an experimental protocol that best meets your research needs, including: selection of mouse strain, study diet, selection of control diet, housing density, length of feeding protocol, frequency of weighing and bio-sample collection.

DIO Services fact sheet (pdf)

JAX® In Vivo Services

Our In Vivo Services provide compound testing and evaluation, as well as phenotypic assessment of DIO mice.

Efficacy testing services for diabetes and obesity (pdf)

Learn more about other JAX® Services

Request a copy of our Type 2 Diabetes & Obesity Resource Manual

Still have questions?

Bibliography of relevant DIO references

Foonote references

  1. Van Heek M, Compton DS, France CF, Tedesco RP, Fawzi AB, Graziano MP, Sybertz EJ, Strader CD, Davis HR Jr. 1997. Diet-induced obese mice develop peripheral, but not central, resistance to leptim. J Clin Invest 99:385-90.
  2. Parekh PI, Petro AE, Tiller JM, Feinglos MN, Surwit RS. 1998. Reversal of diet-induced obesity and diabetes in C57BL/6J mice. Metabolism 47:1089-96.
  3. Petro AE, Cotter J, Cooper DA, Peters JR, Surwit SJ, Surwit RS. 2004. Fat, carbohydrate, and calories in the development of diabetes and obesity in the C57BL/6J mouse. Metabolism 53:454-7.
  4. Surwit RS, Feinglos MN, Rodin J, Sutherland A, Petro AE, Opara EC, Kuhn CM, Rebuffe-Scrive M. 1995. Differential effects of fat and sucrose on the development of obesity and diabetes in C57BL/6J and A/J mice. Metabolism 44:645-51.
  5. Rossmeisl M, Rim JS, Koza RA, Kozak LP. 2003 Diabetes 52:1958-66.
  6. Xu H, Barnes GT, Yang Q, Tan G, Yang D, Chou CJ, SOle J, Nichols A, Ross JS, Tartaglia LA, Chen H. 2003. Chronic inflammation in fat plays a crucial role in the development of obesity-related insulin resistance. J Clin Invest 112:1821-30.
  7. Bush EN, et al. (Metabolic Disease Research, Abbott Laboratories) Adiposity, Leptin Resistance, Hyperrphagia, Hyperglycemia, Glucose Intolerance and Insulin Resistance in C57BL/6J Mice Fed High Fat Diets. Endocrine Society Annual Meeting 2001, Poster Session. Print-Friendly PDF
  8. Shapiro ME, et al. (Metabolic Disease Research, Abbott Laboratories) Effects of Treatment of C57BL/6J Mice Fed High vs. Low Fat Diets with Metformin or Rosiglitazone on Adiposity, Food Intake, Hyperglycemia and Insulin Resistance. Endocrine Society Annual Meeting 2001, Poster Session. Print-Friendly PDF