The significance of decreased ambulatory activity during the generation by long-term observation of obesity in ovariectomized rats.

We attempted to determine the significance of ambulatory activity as a cause of overweight in ovariectomized rats. Drinking and ambulation were measured continuously and directly for periods up to 12 months in special apparatus developed at Gunma University. In older rats, ambulatory activity decreased much more in the ovariectomy group than in the control group. There was no difference in food intake between the ovariectomized and the control group. After 2 months, the ovariectomy group increased body weight more than the control group despite no difference in food intake. The decrease in ambulatory activity was consistent in the ovariectomy group, regardless of any differences in age and body weight. These results indicate that decrease of energy expenditure by gradual decrease in ambulatory activity may be an important factor as a cause of overweight in ovariectomized, obese rats.