Sheep as a Model for Control of Appetite and Energy Expenditure

Abstract

Animal models have been extensively used to interrogate the mechanisms underpinning the neuroendocrine control of body weight. This chapter highlights the use of large animals, particularly sheep, in metabolic research. Sheep are ruminants, having four stomachs including the rumen, abomasum, omasum and reticulum. The chapter describes the physiological control of body weight, with a particular focus on energy expenditure. Body weight is under the flexible control of energy balance, being determined by food intake and the rate of energy expenditure. Brown adipose tissue (BAT) was originally found in neonates, being essential for the maintenance of core body temperature in the newborn. Like ad..