Food Consumption Timing Analysis
Objective: To determine whether nighttime light exposure causes increased body mass by shifting the timing of food intake in mice, and to examine the effects of different light conditions on food consumption patterns between light and dark phases
Gather these items before starting the experiment. Check off items as you prepare.
Equipment6
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Protocol Steps
Housing assignment to light conditions
Assign male mice to three different housing conditions: bright light at night (LL), dim light at night (DM), or standard light/dark cycle (LD control)
Note: Three experimental groups with different light exposure conditions
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 food consumption timing
Record the timing of food intake during light and dark phases for mice in all three conditions
Note: Measure the percentage of food consumed during light versus dark phases
View evidence from paper
“the timing of food consumption by DM and LL mice differs from that in LD mice”
Measure body mass changes
Monitor and record body mass in all three experimental groups throughout the study period
Note: Compare body mass between LL, DM, and LD conditions
View evidence from paper
“Mice housed in either bright (LL) or dim (DM) LAN have significantly increased body mass”
Measure caloric intake
Quantify total daily caloric intake for all mice across all three conditions
Note: Ensure equivalent caloric intake across groups to isolate timing effects
View evidence from paper
“despite equivalent levels of caloric intake and total daily activity output”
Measure activity levels
Record total daily activity output for mice in all three conditions
Note: Activity should be equivalent across groups
View evidence from paper
“despite equivalent levels of caloric intake and total daily activity output”
Assess glucose tolerance
Perform glucose tolerance testing on mice from all three experimental groups
Note: Compare glucose tolerance between LL, DM, and LD conditions
View evidence from paper
“have significantly increased body mass and reduced glucose tolerance compared with mice in a standard (LD) light/dark cycle”
Food restriction intervention in DM mice
Restrict food consumption to the active (dark) phase only in DM mice to test whether timing of food intake is responsible for body mass gain
Note: This intervention tests causality between food timing and weight gain
View evidence from paper
“Restricting food consumption to the active phase in DM mice prevents body mass gain”