Metabolism and morphology of brown adipose tissue from Brahman and Angus newborn calves

The objective of this study was to compare adipocyte morphology and lipogenesis between breed types (Angus vs Brahman) in brown adipose tissue (BAT) and white adipose tissue (WAT) from newborn calves. The Brahman calves (n = 7) were born during the fall season, whereas the Angus calves were born in fall (n = 6) or the following spring (n = 4). At parturition, Brahman cows were lighter than fall Angus cows, but were heavier than spring Angus cows (P < .05). Birth weights and perirenal BAT weights were greater in spring-born, but not in fall-born Angus calves, than in Brahman calves (P < .05). Fall-born Angus BAT contained 63% more (P < .05) adipocytes/100 mg tissue and contained a greater proportion (P < .05) of adipocytes with mean diameters of 40 to 50 microm, and fewer adipocytes with diameters of 60 microm or greater, than Brahman BAT. Brahman BAT contained two-to-three times as many beta-receptors as Angus BAT (P < .05), although the dissociation constant (Kd) was not different between breed types. Mitochondria in Brahman BAT were primarily spherical, whereas Angus BAT mitochondria were elongated, and mitochondrial cross-sectional area tended (P = .08) to be greater in Brahman BAT than in Angus BAT. The mitochondrial uncoupling protein (UCP) mRNA concentration (per 10(6) cells) was greater in Brahman BAT than in BAT from fall-born Angus calves. Lipogenesis from acetate was greater in Angus BAT than in Brahman BAT (P < .05), and glucose and palmitate contributed a greater proportion of carbon to lipogenesis in Brahman BAT than in Angus BAT. These differences in lipogenesis between breed types were not observed in s.c. WAT. The WAT from both breed types contained adipocytes with distinct brown adipocyte morphology, suggesting an involution of BAT to WAT in utero. We conclude that differences in UCP gene expression cannot cause the greater peak thermogenesis of Angus calves; however, differences between breed types in lipid metabolism and(or) mitochondrial morphology may contribute to this phenomenon.     

Brown adipose tissue development and metabolism in ruminants

We conducted several experiments to better understand the relationship between brown adipose tissue (BAT) metabolism and thermogenesis. In Exp. 1, we examined perirenal (brown) and sternum s.c. adipose tissue in 14 Wagyu x Angus neonates infused with norepinephrine (NE). Perirenal adipocytes contained numerous large mitochondria with well-differentiated cristae; sternum s.c. adipocytes contained a few, small mitochondria, with poorly developed cristae. Lipogenesis from acetate was high in BAT but barely detectable in sternum s.c. adipose tissue. In Exp. 2, we compared perirenal and tailhead adipose tissues between NE-infused Angus (n = 6) and Brahman (n = 7) newborn calves. Brahman BAT contained two-to-three times as many total beta-receptors as Angus BAT. The mitochondrial UCP1:28S rRNA ratio was greater in Brahman BAT than in BAT from Angus calves. Lipogenesis from acetate and glucose again was high, but lipogenesis from palmitate was barely detectable. Tail-head s.c. adipose tissue from both breed types contained adipocytes with distinct brown adipocyte morphology. In Exp. 3, three fetuses of each breed type were taken at 96, 48, 24, 14, and 6 d before expected parturition, and at parturition. Lipogenesis from acetate and glucose in vitro decreased 97% during the last 96 d of gestation in both breed types, whereas the UCP1 gene expression tripled during gestation in both breed types. At birth, palmitate esterification was twice as high in Angus than in Brahman BAT and was at least 100-fold higher than in BAT from NE-infused calves from Exp. 2. Uncoupling protein-1 mRNA was readily detectable in tailhead s.c. adipose tissue in all fetal samples. In Exp. 4, male Brahman and Angus calves (n = 5 to 7 per group) were assigned to 1) newborn treatment (15 h of age), 2) 48 h of warm exposure (22 degrees C) starting at 15 h of age, or 3) 48 h of cold exposure (4 degrees C) starting at 15 h of age. Brahman BAT adipocytes shrank with cold exposure, whereas Angus BAT adipocytes did not. Similarly, BAT from neonatal lambs (Exp. 5; n = 6 per group) was depleted of lipid in response to cold exposure, although UCP1 gene expression persisted. In Exp. 4, NE stimulated lipogenesis from palmitate in BAT incubated in vitro. Lipogenesis from palmitate was higher in Angus than in Brahman BAT, and increased with both warm and cold exposure. These studies suggest that BAT from Brahman calves may be exhausted of lipid shortly after birth during times of cold exposure.     

The response of adipose tissues to Mycoplasma pulmonis and Sendai virus infection in C57BL/6 and DBA/2 mice

Adipose tissues in mammals are categorized into white and brown adipose tissues in which cellular morphology, cell functions, and tissue distribution are different. White adipose tissue (WAT) plays a major role in energy reservation, while brown adipose tissue (BAT) mainly relates to the thermoregulation of the body. One interesting function of adipose tissue is the response to the infection, especially the pathogens that cause pneumonia. We have previously reported that DBA/2 (D2) mice are susceptible to pathogens causing pneumonia, Mycoplasma (M.) pulmonis and Sendai virus (SeV), whereas C57BL/6 (B6) mice are resistant to them. Furthermore, morphological alteration of mediastinal fat tissue (MFT) was seen after infection of M. pulmonis in D2 mice but not in B6 mice. In this study, we aimed to exhibit the difference in adipose tissue response in other areas, including interscapular brown adipose tissue (iBAT), inguinal white adipose tissue (ingWAT), and perigonadal WAT (perigoWAT) between resistant strain, B6 and susceptible strain, D2 after challenging them with M. pulmonis and SeV. Compared with B6 mice, D2 mice showed an increase in fat-associated lymphoid cluster in MFT, an increase in BAT in both iBAT and ingWAT after M. pulmonis and SeV infection. The results of this study indicate that pneumonia caused by M. pulmonis and SeV infection induces browning of adipocyte, suggesting that BAT plays a role in pathogen infection and inflammation.     

日粮鱼油对高脂日粮饲喂小鼠发情周期和机体产热的影响

本研究旨在探讨鱼油对高脂日粮饲喂小鼠发情周期和机体代谢产热的影响。试验选用36只4周龄C57BL/6 J雌性小鼠,随机分成3组（n=12）：对照组、高脂组和高脂+鱼油组。对照组饲喂标准啮齿动物饲料（AIN-93G）,高脂组和高脂+鱼油组分别饲喂高脂日粮（脂肪提供60%能量）和添加5%鱼油（等能替代猪油）的高脂日粮。试验期间,对小鼠体组成（12周龄）、整体代谢（16周龄）、褐色脂肪温度（18周龄）、体核温度（直肠温度,18周龄）和发情周期（20周龄）等进行检测。试验结束后,眼球采血分离血清,检测促卵泡激素（follicle-stimulating hormone,FSH）和雌二醇（estradiol,E2）的水平。此外,采集皮下脂肪、腹部脂肪和肩胛间褐色脂肪,称重并使用Western blot检测脂肪组织中产热相关基因的蛋白表达（UCP1、Cyto C）,使用实时荧光定量PCR检测褐色脂肪组织中产热基因的mRNA表达（UCP1, PRDM16,PGC1α,Cidea,Elovl3）。结果显示,与对照组相比,高脂日粮显著增加了小鼠的体脂含量（12周龄）及皮下和腹部脂肪的沉积量（21周龄）（P<0.05）,而添加鱼油显著降低了高脂饮食引起的体脂含量增加（P<0.05）。另外,高脂日粮导致小鼠的发情周期紊乱,伴随着周期延长、发情期缩短,以及血清中FSH和E2的水平降低（P<0.05）,而添加鱼油可缓解高脂日粮导致的小鼠发情周期紊乱,提高血清中FSH和E2的水平（P<0.05）。同时,添加鱼油可增加高脂饲喂小鼠肩胛间褐色脂肪（interscapular brown adipose tissue,iBAT）和腹股沟白色脂肪（inguinal white adipose tissue,iWAT）中产热相关基因的表达（P<0.05）,进而促进iBAT激活/产热和iWAT褐色化。结果提示,日粮鱼油可缓解高脂日粮导致的发情周期紊乱,可能与BAT激活和WAT褐色化造成的机体代谢产热增强有关。     

解偶联蛋白与动物的冷适应

动物的脂肪组织为棕色脂肪组织(brow n ad ipose tissue,BAT)和白色脂肪组织(w h ite ad ipose tissue,W AT)。棕色脂肪组织中含有大量线粒体,是哺乳动物非颤抖产热的主要器官,对动物的体温控制和能量平衡调节起重要作用,位于线粒体内膜的解偶联蛋白(uncoup ling prote in,UCP)的含量和活性是决定其功能的关键因素。作者综述了UCP的结构、UCP基因的多态性及其与肥胖的关系、影响UCPmRNA表达的因素,并对UCP进行了讨论与展望。     

冷刺激小鼠脂肪组织差异表达长链非编码RNA的初步研究

脂肪组织主要有白色脂肪组织(WAT)和褐色脂肪组织(BAT)两种类型;WAT储存能量,BAT通过特异性表达解耦联蛋白1(uncoupling protein 1,UCP1)消耗能量产热。与BAT不同,WAT具有很强的可塑性,在寒冷刺激下,呈现褐色脂肪表型、获得褐色脂肪的产热活性("褐色化")。根据对冷刺激组(6℃)和对照组(28℃)小鼠的肩胛区褐色脂肪组织(iBAT)和皮下白色脂肪组织(sWAT)的RNA转录组测序分析结果,初步筛选出1个差异明显的长链非编码RNA (lncRNA-6030408B16Rik)。通过qRT-PCR检测lncRNA-6030408B16Rik在野生型小鼠的脾脏、肌肉、肾脏、十二指肠、大脑、肝脏、sWAT和iBAT中的表达;24只雄性C57BL/6野生型小鼠随机分成冷刺激组(6℃)和对照组(28℃),两组小鼠分别在6和28℃环境下处理10 d,分别采集两组的iBAT和sWAT;并分离出生1 d的野生型小鼠褐色前脂肪细胞,诱导分化后,收集0、1、3、5 d的细胞,检测UCP1基因和lncRNA-6030408B16Rik在分化过程中的时空表达。qRT-PCR结果显示iBAT和sWAT中lncRNA-6030408B16Rik的表达量均明显高于其他组织;与对照组相比,冷刺激组iBAT中lncRNA-6030408B16Rik的表达量极显著上调(P<0.01),冷刺激组sWAT中lncRNA-6030408B16Rik的表达量显著上调(P<0.05);前脂肪细胞诱导分化的过程中,lncRNA-6030408B16Rik的表达量呈先上调后下调的趋势。lncRNA-6030408B16Rik在脂肪组织中特异性高表达。lncRNA-6030408B16Rik可能对白色脂肪组织"褐色化"及褐色前脂肪细胞的分化具有重要的调控作用。     

Regulation of adipose tissue metabolism during pregnancy and lactation in the ewe: the role of insulin

This study was conducted to examine the effect of insulin on lipid metabolism of adipocytes during pregnancy and lactation in ewes. During the first 3 mo of pregnancy, metabolism of adipocytes from omental adipose tissue was characterized by a high rate of de novo lipogenesis (90 to 125 nmol of acetate incorporated into lipids.2 h-1.10(6) cells-1) and a 38% reduction in response to beta-lipolytic stimulus (isoproterenol 10(-6) M). Simultaneously, there was a rise in the number of high-affinity insulin receptors (Kd = .2 nM), and insulin binding characteristics showed a decrease in the negative cooperativity phenomenon. Moreover, lipogenesis stimulated by insulin (1 mU/ml) increased in comparison with observations in nonpregnant ewes. The last third of pregnancy and early lactation were characterized by a marked fall in lipogenesis and a simultaneous increase in isoproterenol-stimulated lipolysis. During lactation, the number of total insulin receptors was decreased by 62% and insulin stimulation of lipogenesis became inefficient. Results suggest that insulin plays a direct role in adipose tissue metabolism during pregnancy.     

11-Hydroxy-β-steroid dehydrogenase gene expression in canine adipose tissue and adipocytes: stimulation by lipopolysaccharide and tumor necrosis factor α

The enzyme 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1 (11β-HSD-1) is expressed in a number of tissues in rodents and humans and is responsible for the reactivation of inert cortisone into cortisol. Its gene expression and activity are increased in white adipose tissue (WAT) from obese humans and may contribute to the adverse metabolic consequences of obesity and the metabolic syndrome. The extent to which 11β-HSD-1 contributes to adipose tissue function in dogs is unknown; the aim of the present study was to examine 11β-HSD-1 gene expression and its regulation by proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory agents in canine adipocytes. Real-time PCR was used to examine the expression of 11β-HSD-1 in canine adipose tissue and canine adipocytes differentiated in culture. The mRNA encoding 11β-HSD-1 was identified in all the major WAT depots in dogs and also in liver, kidney, and spleen. Quantification by real-time PCR showed that 11β-HSD-1 mRNA was least in perirenal and falciform depots and greatest in subcutaneous, omental, and gonadal depots. Greater expression was seen in the omental depot in female than in male dogs (P = 0.05). Gene expression for 11β-HSD-1 was also seen in adipocytes, from both subcutaneous and visceral depots, differentiated in culture; expression was evident throughout differentiation but was generally greatest in preadipocytes and during early differentiation, declining as cells progressed to maturity. The inflammatory mediators lipopolysaccharide and tumor necrosis factor α had a main stimulatory effect on 11β-HSD-1 gene expression in canine subcutaneous adipocytes, but IL-6 had no significant effect. Treatment with dexamethasone resulted in a significant time- and dose-dependent increase in 11β-HSD-1 gene expression, with greatest effects seen at 24 h (2nM: approximately 4-fold; 20nM: approximately 14-fold; P = 0.010 for both). When subcutaneous adipocytes were treated with the peroxisome proliferator activated receptor γ agonist rosiglitazone, similar dose- and time-dependent effects were noted. However, no effects were seen when adipocytes from the gonadal WAT depot were treated with rosiglitazone. The induction of 11β-HSD-1 expression, by the pro-inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor α and by lipopolysaccharide may have implications for the pathogenesis of obesity and its associated diseases in the dog.     

Ontogenic development of brown adipose tissue in Angus and Brahman fetal calves

Brahman calves experience greater neonatal mortality than Angus calves if cold-stressed. To establish a developmental basis for this, three fetuses of each breed type were taken at 96, 48, 24, 14, and 6 d before expected parturition, and at parturition. Overall fetal BW tended (P = 0.08) to be greater for Angus than for Brahman fetuses. There was no difference between breed types in total brown adipose tissue (BAT) mass or grams of BAT/kg BW. Brown adipocyte density decreased 56%, whereas lipogenesis from acetate and glucose in vitro decreased 97% during the last 96 d of gestation in both breed types. Glycerolipid synthesis from palmitate declined by 85% during the last trimester but still contributed 98% to total lipid synthesis at birth. The fetal age x breed interaction was significant for lipogenesis from glucose (P = 0.05) and palmitate (P = 0.005); rates were higher at 96 d before birth in Brahman BAT but declined to similar rates by birth. Uncoupling protein-1 (UCP1) mRNA tripled during gestation in both breed types (P = 0.002), whereas mitochondrial cross-sectional area did not change (P = 0.14) during gestation. Neither the breed nor the age x breed effect was significant (P > or = 0.24) for UCP1 mRNA concentration or mitochondrial cross-sectional area. In both breed types, a marked decrease in BAT UCP1 mRNA between 24 and 14 d prepartum was associated with a similar reduction in lipogenesis from palmitate and a noticeable change in BAT mitochondrial morphology, as the mitochondria became more elongated and the cristae became more elaborate. Uncoupling protein-1 mRNA initially was elevated in Angus tailhead s.c. adipose tissue, but was barely detectable by birth, and tended to be greater overall (P = 0.09) in Angus than in Brahman BAT. If uncoupling protein activity in s.c. adipose tissue persists after birth, then s.c. adipose tissue may contribute more to thermogenesis in Angus newborn calves than in Brahman calves. In contrast, we did not observe differences in ontogenic development of perirenal BAT that could explain the documented differences in thermogenic capacity between Angus and Brahman newborn calves.     

冷环境中解偶联蛋白对动物体温的调节作用

解偶联蛋白属线粒体内膜载体蛋白,存在动物体的棕色脂肪组织（brown adipose tissue,BAT）、白色脂肪组织（white adipose tissue,WAT）、骨胳肌以及各种器官中。这些组织器官是哺乳动物及禽类非颤抖产热（NST）及其它产热作用的主要点位,对动物的体温维持和能量平衡调节起重要作用。     

beta-Adrenergic receptor agonists increase apoptosis of adipose tissue in mice

beta-Adrenergic receptor (beta-AR) agonists increase muscle mass and decrease body fat in rodents and livestock. With oral administration, however, the effects of beta1-AR and beta2-AR can be different, depending on the species tested. We tested the effects of clenbuterol, a beta2-AR agonist, and ractopamine, a beta1/beta2-AR agonist, on growth, adiposity and adipose tissue apoptosis in male and female mice by feeding diets containing control, 200 ppm clenbuterol, or 200 or 800 ppm ractopamine. Food intake (FI) was measured daily; body weight (BW) and temperatures (BT) were measured on days 0, 3, 7, 10, 14, 17, and 20. On day 21 mice were sacrificed, body composition was determined using PIXImus densitometry, and muscle and adipose tissues were collected. There were no treatment effects on BT, FI, BW, feed efficiency or body composition. Retroperitoneal (Rp) and epididymal/parametrial (Epi/Par) fat pad masses were reduced in both 800 ppm ractopamine (40+/-3mg and 207+/-20mg, respectively) and clenbuterol (35+/-7 mg and 211+/-22 mg) treated mice compared to control (66+/-8 mg and 319+/-30 mg, P<0.05). Brown adipose tissue (BAT) mass was greater (P<0.05) in clenbuterol treated mice compared to other treatments. Adipose tissue apoptosis (% DNA fragmentation) was increased in Epi/Par fat pads in clenbuterol (5.2+/-1.1%) and 800 ppm ractopamine (4.1+/-0.8%) treated mice compared to control (1.7+/-0.4%, P<0.05). These findings show that WAT apoptosis can be induced by activation of beta-AR in mice, although the mechanism is unknown.     

Adipose tissue gene expression in obese dogs after weight loss

Body weight (BW) mainly depends on a balance between fat storage (lipogenesis) and fat mobilization (lipolysis) in adipocytes. BW changes play a role in insulin resistance (IR), the inability of insulin target tissue to respond to physiological levels of insulin. This results in inhibition of lipogenesis and stimulation of lipolysis. Weight gain leads to IR whereas, weight loss improves insulin sensitivity (IS). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of weight loss and recovery of IS on the expression of genes involved in lipogenesis and lipolysis in weight losing dogs. Gene expression was studied in both subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue. Obese dogs received a hypoenergetic low fat high protein diet (0.6 x NRC recommendation). Before and after weight loss, IS was assessed using the euglycaemic hyperinsulinaemic clamp. Gene expression of IRS-2, SREBP, intracellular insulin effectors, ACC, FAS, FABP, ADRP, PEPCK, lipogenesis key proteins, perilipin and HSL, lipolysis key proteins were quantified using real-time RT-PCR in subcutaneous and visceral fat. BW decreased from 15.2 +/- 0.5 to 11.4 +/- 0.4 kg (p < 0.05) over 78 +/- 8 days. When obese, dogs were insulin resistant. After weight loss, IS was improved. In the subcutaneous adipose tissue, the expression of only the IRS-2 was increased. In the visceral adipose tissue, the expression of the genes involved in the lipogenesis was decreased whereas one of the genes implied in the lipolysis did not change. The expression profile of genes involved in lipid metabolism, as measured after weight loss, is indicative for a lower lipogenesis after weight loss than in obese dogs. Our results also confirm dramatic differences in the lipid metabolism of visceral and subcutaneous fat. They should be completed by comparing gene expression during weight losing and normal weight steady state.     

Regional differences in porcine adipocytes isolated from skeletal muscle and adipose tissues as identified by a proteomic approach

The content and distribution of body lipids are of special interest for production efficiency and meat quality in the farm animal industry. Triglycerides represent the most variable fraction of tissue lipids, and are mainly stored in adipocytes. Although several studies have reported regional differences in the expression of genes and their products in adipocytes from various species, the characteristics of i.m. adipocytes remain poorly described. To evaluate adipocyte features according to muscle and other fat locations, adipocyte proteins were isolated from trapezius skeletal muscle, and intermuscular, s.c., or perirenal adipose tissues from 6 female pigs (80 d of age). Protein extracts were labeled and analyzed by 2-dimensional, fluorescent, differential gel electrophoresis. The comparisons revealed that 149 spots were always differentially expressed (P < 0.05, ratio exceeding |2|-fold difference) between i.m. adipocytes and the fat cells derived from the 3 other adipose locations. The proteins that were downregulated in i.m. fat cells belonged to various metabolic pathways, such as lipogenesis (cytosolic malate dehydrogenase and isocitrate dehydrogenase, P < 0.01), glycolysis (enolases and aldolase, P 相似文献   

Adipose tissue angiogenesis

A review of adipose tissue angiogenesis includes the morphological and cytochemical development of adipose tissue vasculature and the concept of primitive fat organs. Spatial and temporal relationships between fetal vascular and fat cell development are discussed, including depot- and genetic-dependent arteriolar differentiation. The relationship between connective tissue deposition and elaboration of adipose tissue vasculature is discussed with respect to regulating adipocyte development in a depot-dependent manner. In vitro studies indicated that depot-dependent vascular traits may be attributable to intrinsic growth characteristics of adipose tissue endothelial cells. These studies indicate that adipogenesis may be regulated by factors that drive angiogenesis. Fundamental aspects of angiogenesis, including basement membrane breakdown, vasculogenesis, angiogenic remodeling, vessel stabilization, and vascular permeability were reviewed. Critical angiogenic factors include vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), VEGF receptors, angiopoietins (Ang), ephrins, matrix metalloproteinases, and the plasminogen enzymatic system. Vascular endothelial growth factor is the most critical factor because it initiates the formation of immature vessels and disruption of a single VEGF allele leads to embryonic lethality in mice. Expression of VEGF is influenced by hypoxia, insulin, growth factors, and several cytokines. Angiogenic factors secreted and/or produced by adipocytes or preadipocytes are discussed. Vascular endothelial growth factor expression and secretion by adipocytes is regulated by insulin and hypoxia, and is associated with adipose tissue accretion. Vascular endothelial growth factor accounts for most of the angiogenic activity of adipose tissue. The proposed role of leptin as an adipogenic factor is reviewed with respect to efficacy on various aspects of angiogenesis relative to other angiogenic factors. The VEGF and leptin genes are both hypoxia inducible, but potential links between VEGF and leptin gene expression have not been examined. Finally, several studies including a study of mice treated with antiangiogenic factors indicate that adipose tissue accretion can be controlled through the vasculature per se.     

Stimulation of lipogenesis in bovine adipose tissue by insulin and insulin-like growth factor

The present study was undertaken to determine if insulin and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) stimulated lipogenesis in bovine adipose tissue and determine the effects of insulin on lipogenic capacity in adipose tissue cultured for 48 h. In contrast to previous studies, insulin markedly stimulated lipogenesis in short-term (2 h) incubations. The stimulation of lipogenesis by insulin was dependent upon the source of bovine serum albumin used in the buffer. Insulin-like growth factor 1 also stimulated lipogenesis; however, the potency was 80- to 100-fold lower than for insulin. Lipogenic capacity was decreased approximately 75% after 48 h of culture in the absence of insulin. When insulin was present in the culture medium, the reduction in lipogenic capacity was attenuated in a dose-dependent manner. However, insulin alone did not totally maintain lipogenic capacity after 48 h. In contrast, inclusion of hydrocortisone (HC; 50 ng/ml) and insulin (10 ng/ml) in the medium completely prevented the decline in lipogenic capacity of cultured bovine adipose tissue. In summary, these results indicate that bovine adipocytes are quite sensitive to insulin in short-term in vitro incubations and that insulin plays a predominant role in maintenance of lipogenic capacity of bovine adipose tissue during culture. Furthermore, the marked potentiation of insulin's effects of lipogenesis after 48 h of culture by HC suggests that the glucocorticoid is involved in regulation of insulin receptor number and(or) other cellular proteins (e.g., enzymes) which are important for lipogenesis to occur.     

The interaction of hydrocortisone and thyroxine during fetal adipose tissue differentiation: CCAAT enhancing binding protein expression and capillary cytodifferentiation.

Late-term fetal pigs from genetically obese dams have elevated levels of thyroid hormones and glucocorticoids, depressed levels of GH, larger fat cells and elevated lipogenesis than do fetal pigs from lean dams. We investigated the influence of elevated levels of thyroid hormones and glucocorticoids per se on adipose tissue traits by chronically treating hypophysectomized (hypox; d 70) fetal pigs between d 90 and 105 of gestation with either thyroxine (T4), hydrocortisone (HC), or the combination of T4 + HC. Treatment with T4 and T4 + HC increased serum T4 and IGF-I levels and enhanced skin and hair development. Treatment with HC and T4 + HC increased serum HC levels, fat cell size, and inner subcutaneous adipose tissue thickness. Quantitative analysis of stained adipose tissue sections indicated that T4 + HC treatment increased lipid accretion and fat cell cluster development more than did either hormone alone. The T4 + HC markedly increased apparent fat cell number, because there was only a 19% increase in fat cell size. A hypox-induced deficit in cytodifferentiation of capillaries associated with adipocytes was not influenced by T4, but was partially normalized by treatment with HC and T4 + HC. Immunocytochemical and Western blot analyses showed no influence of hormonal treatment on expression of three CCAAT enhancing binding protein (C/EBP) isoforms. However, expression of C/EBPdelta in adipose tissue was markedly reduced in control fetal pigs compared with hypox fetal pigs. These studies indicate that concurrent action of glucocorticoids and thyroid hormones may be the critical aspect of endocrine regulation of fetal adipogenesis.     

Carcass composition and adipose tissue metabolism in growing sheep

Experiments were conducted to investigate biological variables that influence fat accretion in growing ram lambs. Carcass composition and adipose tissue development were measured in Columbia-sired ram lambs from 32.0 to 73.9 kg body weight. Five or six ram lambs were slaughtered every 2 mo, from 4 to 10 mo of age. The percentage of carcass fat-free dry matter decreased with age from 30.9 to 27.5% (P less than .05), while the percentage of carcass fat increased from 17.7 to 33.4%. Similarly, offal fat-free dry matter decreased with age (from 24.5 to 21.5), and there was nearly a threefold increase in the percentage of offal fat (P less than .05 for both measures). Subcutaneous adipocyte diameter and lipogenesis in vitro increased from 4 to 6 mo of age, and did not increase further with age. A bimodal distribution of adipocytes was apparent in the 4-mo-old lambs, but was not observed in any other age group. The presence of glucose in incubation media stimulated acetate incorporation into fatty acids in vitro in adipose tissue from 8- and 10-mo-old lambs. However, glucose did not affect the rate of lipogenesis from lactate. The data indicate early, rapid increases in carcass fat accretion, which corresponded to similar increases in lipogenesis and lipogenic enzyme activities.