Caloric Intake and Activity Monitoring
Objective: Assessment of total daily caloric intake and activity output in mice under different light conditions to determine whether nighttime light exposure causes increased body mass
Gather these items before starting the experiment. Check off items as you prepare.
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Protocol Steps
Housing assignment and light condition establishment
Assign male mice to three housing conditions: bright light at night (LL), dim light at night (DM), or standard light/dark cycle (LD control)
Note: Three distinct light exposure conditions are used as experimental variables
View evidence from paper
“Mice housed in either bright (LL) or dim (DM) LAN have significantly increased body mass and reduced glucose tolerance compared with mice in a standard (LD) light/dark cycle”
Monitor caloric intake
Measure total daily caloric intake and record the timing of food consumption across light and dark phases
Note: Track percentage of food consumed during light phase versus dark phase
View evidence from paper
“DM mice consume 55.5% of their food during the light phase, as compared with 36.5% in LD mice”
Monitor activity output
Measure total daily activity output in all housing conditions
Note: Activity levels should be equivalent across all conditions despite differences in body mass
View evidence from paper
“despite equivalent levels of caloric intake and total daily activity output”
Measure body mass
Record body mass changes in mice across all three light conditions
Note: LL and DM mice show significantly increased body mass compared to LD control mice
View evidence from paper
“Mice housed in either bright (LL) or dim (DM) LAN have significantly increased body mass”
Assess glucose tolerance
Measure glucose tolerance in mice from all three light conditions
Note: LL and DM mice show reduced glucose tolerance compared to LD controls
View evidence from paper
“Mice housed in either bright (LL) or dim (DM) LAN have significantly increased body mass and reduced glucose tolerance”
Food restriction intervention (optional)
In DM mice, restrict food consumption to the active (dark) phase only
Note: This intervention prevents body mass gain in DM mice
View evidence from paper
“Restricting food consumption to the active phase in DM mice prevents body mass gain”