In contrast to the generally observed reciprocal relationship between obesity and adiponectin levels, Ames dwarf mice fed a HFD retained high levels of adiponectin when compared to control mice fed HFD (P < 0.0001) and did not differ from Ames dwarf mice fed STD (P = 0.15) (Fig. 4a). The gene discussed is ADIPOQ; the disease is obesity due to melanocortin 4 receptor deficiency.