Animals with reduced body fat and increased bone density

Abstract

Methods for identifying animals as having reduced body fat and increased bone density are provided herein. Also provided herein are methods for generating animals having reduced body fat and increased bone density. The methods provided herein are based on the effect of TLR4, MD-2, and CD14 activity on body fat and bone density.

1 . A method for identifying an animal as having reduced body fat, said method comprising: 
 a) determining the level of TLR4, MD-2, or CD14 activity in a biological sample from said animal; and    b) identifying said animal as having reduced body fat if said level of TLR4, MD-2, or CD14 activity is reduced as compared to a control level of TLR4, MD-2, or CD14 activity.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said control level of TLR4, MD-2, or CD14 activity is the level of TLR4, MD-2, or CD14 activity in a corresponding control animal.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said control level of TLR4, MD-2, or CD14 activity is a standard level of TLR4, MD-2, or CD 14 activity.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said control level TLR4, MD-2, or CD14 activity is the average level of TLR4, MD-2, or CD14 activity in a control population of animals.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said animal is bovine, ovine, porcine, or fowl.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said level of TLR4, MD-2, or CD14 activity in said biological sample is determined by measuring the expression of a nucleic acid.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein said nucleic acid encodes a cytokine or a chemokine.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said cytokine is an interleukin or TNF-α.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said chemokine is IP10.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said level of TLR4, MD-2, or CD14 activity is determined by measuring the level of a TLR4, MD-2, or CD14 polypeptide.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said TLR4, MD-2, or CD14 polypeptide is measured in serum or in tissue.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said level of TLR4, MD-2, or CD14 activity is determined by measuring the level of a small molecule in said biological sample.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said small molecule is prostaglandin E2, leukotriene B(4), or nitric oxide.  
   
   
       14 - 45 . (canceled)