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Estimating energy expenditure in mice using an energy balance technique

International Journal of Obesity volume 37, pages 399–403 (2013)Cite this article

Subjects

A Corrigendum to this article was published on 12 March 2013

This article has been updated

Abstract

Objective:

To compare, in mice, the accuracy of estimates of energy expenditure (EE) using an energy balance technique (TEEbal: food energy intake and body composition change) vs indirect calorimetry (TEEIC).

Subjects:

In 32 male C57BL/6J mice, EE was estimated using an energy balance (caloric intake minus change in body energy stores) method over a 37-day period. EE was also measured in the same animals by indirect calorimetry. These measures were compared.

Results:

The two methods were highly correlated (r2=0.87: TEEbal=1.07*TEEIC–0.22, P<0.0001). By Bland–Altman analysis, TEEbal estimates were slightly higher (4.6±1.5%; P<0.05) than TEEIC estimates (Bias=0.55 kcal per 24 h).

Conclusion:

TEEbal can be performed in ‘home cages’ and provides an accurate integrated long-term measurement of EE while minimizing potentially confounding stress that may accompany the use of indirect calorimetry systems. The technique can also be used to assess long-term energy intake.

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Change history

  • 12 March 2013

    This article has been corrected since online publication and a corrigendum is also printed in this issue

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by National Institutes of Health Grants RO1-DK-066518, P30-DK-026687, ADA 7-11-MN-34, and a research grant from AstraZeneca. We thank Dr Marc Reitman for comments on the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Molecular Genetics and Naomi Berrie Diabetes Center, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA

    Y Ravussin, R Gutman, C A LeDuc & R L Leibel

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  1. Y Ravussin
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  2. R Gutman
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  3. C A LeDuc
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  4. R L Leibel
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Correspondence to R L Leibel.

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Ravussin, Y., Gutman, R., LeDuc, C. et al. Estimating energy expenditure in mice using an energy balance technique. Int J Obes 37, 399–403 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1038/ijo.2012.105

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