Description:
<jats:sec><jats:label /><jats:p>Human adenovirus‐36 (Ad‐36) affects biochemical functions and induces obesity in chickens, mice, rats, monkeys, and humans. The viral E4orf1 gene directly affects lipogenic enzymes to produce adiposity. Ad‐36 infection alters lipid & glucose metabolism, gene expression, and body composition. Serum antibodies (AB) assayed by serum neutralization (SN) are specific evidence of infection. We determined prevalence of unsuspected (natural) Ad‐36 infection in multiple laboratory species and report how experimental data are affected. We obtained serum from 40 rats (Harlan Labs, IN); 15 rhesus monkeys in the Aging Study, Wisconsin National Primate Res Ctr; 8 rabbits from US Biological (MA) & 6 cows (culture media serum). We fed rats a 36% or 48% kcal fat diet and measured wt gain and body fat. 25% of rats arrived at the lab with unsuspected Ad‐36 infection. Hi fat feeding induced greater wt gain (36.6 vs 9.6 g, p<.02) and 51% more body fat (82 vs 54 g, p<.02) in infected vs uninfected rats. 100% of monkeys became Ad‐36+ over the 7 yr study; all gained wt and lowered serum cholesterol (p<.05). 50% of rabbits were Ad‐36+ on arrival. Antibodies were present in 4 of 6 bovine sera and interfered in the SN assay.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Conclusions</jats:title><jats:p>Unsuspected Ad‐36 infection occurs in lab animals from suppliers and in university vivariums. Laboratory animals should be tested for Ad‐36 status before experiments are performed as Ad‐36 may compromise outcomes.</jats:p></jats:sec>