Metabolic disease models – db/db Mouse Model

Use the gold-standard db/db mouse model of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and obesity in your preclinical research  

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Db/db Mouse Model Characteristics

The db/db mouse model (also referred to as Leprdb) is the most widely used rodent model for characterizing metabolic and histological effects of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) drugs. Due to spontaneous monogenic mutation in the leptin receptor, the db/db mouse model is characterized by severe obesity, hyperphagia, polyuria hyperinsulinemia, insulin resistance, and hyperglycemia. At InnoSer, we have additionally shown that the leptin-deficient db/db mice show specific deficits in learning and cognitive flexibility (e.g., via battery of behavioral tests such as Morris Water Maze or Spontaneous Behavior in the PhenoTyperTM Automated Home-Caging System), in line with previous research in this model.  

The phenotypic characteristics make the db/db mouse model an ideal research tool for investigating efficacy of novel therapeutics in the setting of obesity, metabolic disorders, diabetic complications, and even T2DM-associated cognitive dysfunctions which is currently an emerging area of research in the metabolic disease field. Contact us today to discuss how this model can support your therapeutic development efforts.  

✓  Studies are run using the homozygous leptin-deficient db/db (Leprdb) with heterozygous db+ (Leprdb/+) serving as controls.  

✓  The model is characterized by severe obesity, hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia and hyperphagia.

✓  Mice show cognitive impairments.   

db/db mouse model

As a preclinical metabolic CRO, InnoSer’s team delivers you with a range of high-quality in vivo models for key metabolic diseases with different associated risk factors and aetiologias. This selection allows you to test therapeutic efficacy to prevent or reverse insulin resistance, pre-diabetes, obesity type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and/or MAFLD/MASH (NASH/NAFLD). To study metabolic disease-associated cardiovascular complications and cardiac dysfunction, InnoSer recommends the use of the Western diet-induced diabetic cardiomyopathy rat model. Reach out to our team to discuss the most suitable model to answer your research questions. 

Db/db Mouse Model Sample Data

Db/db Mouse Model Readouts

Key diabetic mouse model readouts that InnoSer offers


Test the efficacy of your treatments in the following battery of translational readouts:
    • Body weight
    • Plasma insulin
    • Plasma HbAc1
    • Fasted blood glucose
    • Glucose tolerance test (IPGTT)
    • Organ isolation and histopathology processing
    • Body composition: lean body mass, fat mass, water content (via Echo MRI) 
    • Food consumption

    Behavioral readouts

    • CognitionWall discrimination and reversal learning
    • Y-Maze working memory
    • MWM spatial learning and memory

    The People Behind Your Research

    Yanick Fanton, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer

    As Chief Science Officer at InnoSer, Yanick is responsible for all customer studies at InnoSer and takes care of the scientific and technical coordination.

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