Researchers have discovered that some Labradors become overweight due to a deletion in a specific gene within their brains that affects their ability to sense body fat. Dr. Giles Yeo, a human geneticist from the University of Cambridge, noted, "What we have found is that some Labradors get fat because they have a deletion in a gene within their brain. This gene plays a role in sensing how much fat they have in their body, leading some Labradors to eat continuously in an attempt to gain more weight."
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The study indicates that over 100 genes are implicated in human body weight, primarily operating within the brain and influencing eating behaviors. Using dogs as a model for obesity research could enhance the understanding of the biological factors behind the condition.
Professor Stephen O'Rahilly from the Wellcome Trust-Medical Research Council Institute of Metabolic Science mentioned that common genetic variants affecting the POMC gene are associated with body weight in humans. He pointed out that some rare cases of obesity in humans involve similar deletions of the POMC gene observed in these Labradors. He emphasized that continued research on obese Labradors could offer important insights not just for animal welfare but also for human health.
The research was funded by the Wellcome Trust, the Medical Research Council, and the Dogs Trust.