Is the FVB/N mouse strain truly resistant to diet‐induced obesity?

C57Bl/6J mice are the gold standard animal model of diet‐induced obesity. These animals become obese with higher adiposity, blood fasting glucose, triglycerides, and total cholesterol when fed a high‐fat diet (HFD). Conversely, the FVB/N mouse line is thought to be resistant to diet‐induced obesity, with low or no weight gain and adiposity in response to a HFD. In this study, we investigated whether FVB/N mice are resistant or susceptible to metabolic disorder that is promoted by a HFD. Biometric parameters and blood chemistry were analyzed in C57Bl/6J and FVB/N mice that were fed a chow diet or HFD. Glucose and insulin sensitivity were assessed by performing the glucose tolerance test and measuring serum insulin/glucose and homeostasis model assessment‐insulin resistance. Metabolism‐related gene expression was investigated by real‐time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Adipocyte morphology and liver steatosis were evaluated using standard histology. FVB/N mice had higher adiposity than C57Bl/6J mice that were fed a chow diet and were glucose intolerant. FVB/N mice that were fed a HFD presented higher insulin resistance and greater liver steatosis. Epididymal white adipose tissue exhibited severe inflammation in FVB/N mice that were fed a HFD. The FVB/N mouse strain is suitable for studies of diet‐induced obesity, and the apparent lack of a HFD‐induced response may reveal several strain‐specific events that are triggered by a HFD. Further studies of the FVB/N background may shed light on the complex multifactorial symptoms of obesity and metabolic syndrome.