In this study, the SD group showed features consistent with obesity development, i.e., significant increase in body weight, fat mass, adipose tissue inflammation, and serum total cholesterol, cLDL, leptin and insulin concentrations, as described previously (Hartvigsen et al., 2007; de Lima et al., 2008; Hafstad et al., 2013). This evidence concerns the gene LEP and obesity due to melanocortin 4 receptor deficiency.