Porcine somatotropin decreases acetyl-CoA carboxylase gene expression in porcine adipose tissue

Crossbred barrows were treated daily with porcine somatotropin (pST; 4 mg/d) from 79 to 127 kg BW to determine whether pST regulates the activity and gene expression of adipose tissue acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), the rate limiting enzyme in de novo fatty acid synthesis. Administration of pST reduced ACC enzyme activity, protein content, and mRNA abundance in adipose tissue by 40 to 50%. When comparisons were made among all pigs, ACC enzyme activity and mRNA abundance were closely associated (r² = .94). In summary, our results indicate that pST decreases ACC enzyme activity and that this is associated with a significant reduction in ACC mRNA abundance. We speculate that decreased ACC enzyme activity results from a reduction in ACC protein and that this occurs because pST reduces the abundance of mRNA available for translation.     

Maternal obesity upregulates fatty acid and glucose transporters and increases expression of enzymes mediating fatty acid biosynthesis in fetal adipose tissue depots

Maternal nutrient restriction leads to alteration in fetal adipose tissue, and offspring from obese mothers have an increased risk of developing obesity. We hypothesized that maternal obesity increases fetal adipogenesis. Multiparous ewes (Columbia/Rambouillet cross 3 to 5 yr of age) carrying twins were assigned to a diet of 100% (Control; CON; n = 4) or 150% (Obese; OB, n = 7) of NRC maintenance requirements from 60 d before conception until necropsy on d 135 of gestation. Maternal and fetal plasma were collected and stored at -80°C for glucose and hormone analyses. Fetal measurements were made at necropsy, and perirenal, pericardial, and subcutaneous adipose tissues were collected from 7 male twin fetuses per group and snap frozen at -80°C. Protein and mRNA expression of fatty acid translocase [cluster of differentiation (CD) 36], fatty acid transport proteins (FATP) 1 and 4, insulin-sensitive glucose transporter (GLUT-4), fatty acid synthase (FASN), and acetyl-coA carboxylase (ACC) was evaluated. Fetal weight was similar, but fetal carcass weight (FCW) was reduced (P < 0.05) in OB versus CON fetuses. Pericardial and perirenal adipose tissue weights were increased (P < 0.05) as a percentage of FCW in OB versus CON fetuses, as was subcutaneous fat thickness (P < 0.001). Average adipocyte diameter was greater (P < 0.01) in the perirenal fat and the pericardial fat (P = 0.06) in OB fetuses compared with CON fetuses. Maternal plasma showed no difference (P > 0.05) in glucose or other hormones, fetal plasma glucose was similar (P = 0.42), and cortisol, IGF-1, and thyroxine were reduced (P ≤ 0.05) in OB fetuses compared with CON fetuses. Protein and mRNA expression of CD 36, FATP 1 and 4, and GLUT-4 were increased (P ≤ 0.05) in all fetal adipose depots in OB versus CON fetuses. The mRNA expression of FASN and ACC was increased (P < 0.05) in OB vs. CON fetuses in all 3 fetal adipose tissue depots. Fatty acid concentrations were increased (P = 0.01) in the perirenal depot of OB versus CON fetuses, and specific fatty acid concentrations were altered (P < 0.05) in subcutaneous and pericardial adipose tissue because of maternal obesity. In conclusion, maternal obesity was associated with increased fetal adiposity, increased fatty acid and glucose transporters, and increased expression of enzymes mediating fatty acid biosynthesis in adipose depots. These alterations, if maintained into the postnatal period, could predispose the offspring to later obesity and metabolic disease.     

Effects of temperature and plane of nutrition on beta-adrenergic receptors in heart, kidney, and liver of lambs

We determined the effects of temperature and feed intake on beta-adrenergic receptors (beta-adrenoceptors) in tissues of sheep. Twenty-four lambs were exposed during three 5-wk periods to either thermoneutral, control (W; 23+/-2 degrees C) or cold (C; 0+/-2 degrees C) temperatures and were fed either ad libitum (A) or restricted (R) levels of feed intake, resulting in four treatment groups: WA, WR, CA, and CR. Hearts, kidneys, and livers were harvested at slaughter and binding of [3H]dihydroalprenolol to plasma membrane extracts was used to determine densities (B(MAX)) and binding affinities (Kd) of beta1 and beta2 adrenoceptors. The B(MAX) values ranged from 12.10 to 201.26 and 3.38 to 12.30 fmol/mg protein for beta1 and beta2 adrenoceptors, respectively; heart and kidney had the highest and lowest values, respectively. Feed restriction reduced (P < .05) beta1 and beta2 receptor densities in heart but increased (P < .05) beta1 receptor density in kidney and liver. Cold temperature exposure reduced beta1 receptor density in heart tissue during feed restriction. The Kd values, ranging from 1.32 to 5.98 nM, were increased (P < .05) by cold exposure and feed restriction in kidney and liver. Because the effectiveness of hormones is a function of their concentrations, binding affinities, and their receptor densities, these results imply that cold temperature exposure and feed restriction could potentially reduce (in heart) and increase (in kidney and liver) metabolic responsiveness of tissues to catecholamines.     

Plasma leptin and mRNA expression of lipogenesis and lipolysis-related factors in bovine adipose tissue around parturition

The objective was to study changes in plasma leptin concentration parallel to changes in the gene expression of lipogenic- and lipolytic-related genes in adipose tissue of dairy cows around parturition. Subcutaneous fat biopsies were taken from 27 dairy cows in week 8 antepartum (a.p.), on day 1 postpartum (p.p.) and in week 5 p.p. Blood samples were assayed for concentrations of leptin and non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA). Subcutaneous adipose tissue was analysed for mRNA abundance by real-time qRT-PCR encoding for leptin, adiponectin receptor 1 (AdipoR1), adiponectin receptor 2 (AdipoR2), hormones-sensitive lipase (HSL), perilipin (PLIN), lipoprotein lipase (LPL), acyl-CoA synthase long-chain family member 1 (ACSL1), acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), fatty acid synthase (FASN) and glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase 2 (GPD2). Body weight and body condition score of the cows were lower after parturition than before parturition. The calculated energy balance was negative in week 1 and 5 p.p., with higher negative energy balance in week 1 p.p. compared with that in week 5 p.p. On day 1 p.p., highest concentrations of NEFA (353.3 μmol/l) were detected compared with the other biopsy time-points (210.6 and 107.7 μmol/l, in week 8 a.p., and week 5 p.p. respectively). Reduced plasma concentrations of leptin during p.p. when compared with a.p. would favour increasing metabolic efficiency and energy conservation for mammary function and reconstitution of body reserves. Lower mRNA abundance of ACC and FASN expression on day 1 p.p. compared with other biopsy time-points suggests an attenuation of fatty acid synthesis in subcutaneous adipose tissue shortly after parturition. Gene expression of AdipoR1, AdipoR2, HSL, PLIN, LPL, ACSL1 and GPD2 was unchanged over time.     

Effects of dietary energy level on lipid metabolism‐related gene expression in subcutaneous adipose tissue of Yellow breed × Simmental cattle

This study was conducted to estimate the effect of dietary energy level on lipid metabolism‐related gene expression of subcutaneous adipose tissue in Yellow breed × Simmental cattle. The experiment was conducted for 60 days. The results showed that final weight, average daily gain, average backfat thickness, (testicles + kidney + pelvic) fat percentage and subcutaneous fat percentage in the high and medium energy groups were significantly higher than in the low‐energy group but that the feed conversion ratio was significantly lower. The glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, high‐density lipoprotein and low‐density lipoprotein in the high‐energy group were significantly higher than in the low‐energy group. With dietary energy increasing the activities of lipoprotein lipase (LPL), fatty acid synthase (FAS) and acetyl‐CoA carboxylase (ACC) significantly increased, whereas hormone‐sensitive lipase (HSL) and carnitine palmitoyltransferase‐1 (CPT‐1) significantly diminished. Peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor γ (PPARγ), LPL, FAS, sterol regulatory element binding protein 1 (SREBP‐1), ACC, stearoyl‐CoA desaturase (SCD) and adipocyte‐fatty acid binding proteins (A‐FABP) gene expression were significantly increased by dietary energy increasing, and HSL and CPT‐1 gene expression were significantly decreased. These results indicated that with dietary energy increasing, the subcutaneous fat accumulation mainly increased due to adipose tissue lipogenic gene expression and decreased lipolytic gene expression.     

Expression of fat deposition and fat removal genes is associated with intramuscular fat content in longissimus dorsi muscle of Korean cattle steers

Intramuscular fat (IMF) in cattle is an important component of traits that influence meat quality. We measured carcass characteristics and gene expression in Korean steers to clarify the molecular mechanism(s) underlying IMF deposition in LM tissue by determining the correlation between IMF content and gene expression abundance and by developing models to predict IMF content using gene expression abundance. The deposition of IMF is determined by a balance between fat deposition and fat removal in the LM. We measured mRNA abundance of lipid metabolic genes including lipogenesis [acetyl CoA carboxylase (ACC), fatty acid synthase (FASN)], fatty lipid uptake [lipoprotein lipase (LPL), fatty acid translocase (CD36), fatty acid transport protein 1 (FATP1)], fatty acid esterification [glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase 1 (GPAT1), acylglycerol phosphate acyltransferase 1 (AGPAT1), diacylglycerol acyltransferase 1 (DGAT1), DGAT2], lipolysis [adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL), hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL), monoglyceride lipase (MGL)], and fatty acid oxidation [carnitine palmitoyl transferase 1B, very long-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (VLCAD), medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (MCAD)] in the LM. The mRNA abundance of the GPAT1 gene showed the greatest correlation (r = 0.74; P < 0.001) with IMF content among 9 fat deposition genes. The gene expression abundance of other fat deposition genes including ACC, FASN, LPL, CD36, FATP1, AGPAT1, DGAT1, and DGAT2 also exhibited significant positive correlations (P < 0.05) with IMF content in the LM. Conversely, ATGL mRNA abundance showed the greatest negative correlation (r = -0.68; P < 0.001) with IMF content in the LM among 6 fat removal genes. The expression of other fat removal genes including MGL, VLCAD, and MCAD showed significant negative correlations (P < 0.05) with IMF content. Our findings show that the combined effects of increases in lipogenesis, fatty acid uptake, fatty acid esterification, and of decreases in lipolysis and fatty acid oxidation contribute to increasing IMF deposition in Korean steers. The multiple regression analysis revealed that the mRNA abundance of the GPAT1 gene in the LM was the first major variable predicting IMF content (54%) among 15 lipid metabolic genes. The second was mRNA abundance of ATGL (11%). In conclusion, these results suggest that GPAT1 and ATGL genes could be used as genetic markers to predict IMF deposition in the LM.     

Acetyl-CoA carboxylase of sheep adipose tissue: problems of the assay and adaptation during fetal development

The rate of fatty acid synthesis of perirenal adipose tissue of fetal lambs decreased by 90% during the last month of gestation. There was also a 90% decrease in the activity of fatty acid synthetase during this period, but the activity of this enzyme exceeded lipogenic flux by a factor of 10. The activity of acetyl CoA carboxylase in the active state (initial activity) was very similar to the lipogenic flux in adipose tissue from lambs at 120 d of gestation; although activity decreased towards term, the decline was insufficient to account for the fall in rate of fatty acid synthesis. The study also shows that assay of acetyl CoA carboxylase in the active state of ovine adipose tissue and of caprine mammary gland requires the presence of citrate, thus differing from that for rat adipose tissue. Evidence that pyruvate carboxylase can interfere in the assay of acetyl CoA carboxylase also is presented.     

Enzymes of glucose and fatty acid metabolism of liver, kidney, skeletal muscle, adipose tissue and mammary gland of lactating and non-lactating sheep

The effect of peak lactation on the activities of a number of enzymes of glucose and lipid metabolism of perirenal and subcutaneous adipose tissue, skeletal muscle, liver, kidney cortex and mammary parenchyma of sheep are described. Enzymes studied included hexokinase (glucose utilization), pyruvate carboxylase (gluconeogenesis), pyruvate dehydrogenase (glucose oxidation and production of acetyl CoA for fatty acid synthesis), acetyl CoA carboxylase (fatty acid synthesis) and glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase (fatty acid esterification). Major changes that were found include a decrease in activities of enzymes of fatty acid synthesis and esterification in adipose tissues, decreased activity of pyruvate dehydrogenase in muscle and adipose tissues and increased pyruvate carboxylase; there was no change in activities of enzyme of fatty acid esterification in liver. Activities of hexokinase, acetyl CoA carboxylase and glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase have been estimated per tissue; this shows the quantitative importance of limiting glucose utilization by muscle and of suppression of fatty acid synthesis in adipose tissue for efficient partitioning of nutrients for milk production.     

Antibiotics promote abdominal fat accumulation in broilers

Antibiotics stimulate the growth of animals but result in drug residues and bacterial resistance. In this study, the negative effect of antibiotics on abdominal fat deposition was evaluated in broilers. The results showed that adding both chlortetracycline (50 g/1,000 kg) and tylosin (50 g/1,000 kg) significantly increased abdominal fat weight, abdominal fat percentage (p < .05), and triglyceride and cholesterol levels (p < .05) in blood. Also, both products synchronously stimulated intestinal absorption and synthesis of liver fat. The expression levels of the peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor γ (PPARγ), diacylgycerol acyltransferase 2 (DGAT2), lipoprotein lipase (LPL), and fatty acid‐binding protein (FABP4) genes in abdominal fat tissue significantly increased (p < .05 or 0.01) when antibiotics were added to the feed. However, no significant difference was found in expression of the fatty acid synthesis (FAS) or acetyl CoA carboxylase (ACC) genes. Further in vitro study results revealed that antibiotics had no effect on fat content or the related gene expression levels in preadipocytes. In summary, the antibiotics induced fat deposition in adipose tissues by activating extracellular absorption of fatty acids from intestinal absorption and synthesis of liver fat. However, it shows no direct regulation by adipose tissue.     

Effects of early- to mid-gestational undernutrition with or without protein supplementation on offspring growth, carcass characteristics, and adipocyte size in beef cattle

Angus × Gelbvieh cows with 2 to 3 previous pregnancies were used to evaluate effects of maternal nutrient restriction on offspring adipose tissue morphology at standard production endpoints. At 45 d after AI to a single sire, pregnancy was confirmed and cows randomly allotted into groups and fed a control (Con, 100% of NRC recommendations), nutrient-restricted (NR, 70% of Con diet), or nutrient-restricted + protein-supplemented (NRP, 70% of Con + essential AA supply to the small intestine equal to Con) diet. At d 185 of gestation, cows were commingled and received the Con diet thereafter. Bull calves were castrated at 2 mo of age. Calves were weaned at 210 d, backgrounded for 28 d, and then placed in the feedlot for 195 d. Steers and heifers were slaughtered at an average 12th-rib fat thickness of 7.6 mm. Adipose tissue from selected depots was collected for adipocyte size analysis. There was no significant difference in BW or BCS between Con, NRP, and NR cows at d 45 of gestation, which averaged 489.7 ± 17.7 kg and 5.35 ± 0.13, respectively. At d 185 of gestation, Con and NRP groups had similar BW (566.1 ± 14.8 and 550.2 ± 14.8 kg) and BCS (6.34 ± 0.27 and 5.59 ± 0.27), but NR cows exhibited reduced (P < 0.05) BW (517.9 ± 14.8 kg) and BCS (4.81 ± 0.27). Among offspring (steers and heifers) at slaughter, there were no significant differences in BW or organ weights among treatment groups. Yield grade was reduced (P < 0.05) and semitendinosus weight/HCW tended (P = 0.09) to be reduced in NR offspring compared with Con and NRP offspring. Average adipocyte diameter was increased (P < 0.05) in subcutaneous, mesenteric, and omental adipose tissue and tended (P = 0.09) to increase in perirenal adipose tissue in NR compared with Con offspring with NRP offspring adipocyte diameter being either intermediate or similar to Con calves. The adipocyte size alterations observed in NR offspring were confirmed by DNA concentration of the adipose tissue depots. There also was an increased mRNA expression (P < 0.05) of fatty acid transporter 1 in subcutaneous adipose tissue from NR offspring compared with Con and NRP offspring. Nutritional restriction during early and mid gestation increased or tended to increase (P < 0.09) adipocyte diameter in all adipose tissue depots in finished steer and heifer calves.     

Adipose tissue, longissimus muscle and anterior pituitary growth and function in clenbuterol-fed heifers

The present study was conducted to determine the effects of feeding clenbuterol on adipose tissue and longissimus muscle growth in heifers. For 50 d, 14 heifers were fed either a sucrose-based, clenbuterol supplement or a placebo in which the clenbuterol had been omitted. The heifers were slaughtered in two groups, based on initial weight. Adipose tissue from several anatomical sites and longissimus muscle (depending on slaughter group) were obtained fresh at slaughter. Changes in carcass characteristics elicited by clenbuterol were similar to those reported by others for steers and sheep. Subcutaneous (sc) and intramuscular (im), but not perirenal, adipocytes were smaller and there were more cells per g tissue in the adipose tissue depots of the clenbuterol-fed heifers. Clenbuterol decreased lipogenic enzyme activities, fatty acid-binding protein activity, basal lipolysis and acetate incorporation into glyceride-fatty acids (P less than .05) in sc adipose tissue, but had no effect (P greater than .05) on lipogenesis or lipolysis in im adipose tissue. Clenbuterol elicited a 20% increase in type II myofiber diameters (P less than .05) but had no effect on type I myofiber diameters. In vitro growth hormone release by perifused anterior pituitaries was not affected significantly by long-term in vivo exposure to clenbuterol. These data indicate that a depression in lipogenesis is the mechanism by which clenbuterol decreases subcutaneous fat accretion in cattle.     

Effect of chicken egg yolk antibody against adipose tissue plasma membranes on carcass composition and lipogenic hormones and enzymes in pigs

Chicken egg yolk antibody against pig adipose tissue plasma membranes (AIgY) was raised and used in the present experiment to evaluate the effect of dietary AIgY supplementation on pig growth and carcass composition. 160 crossbred (Duroc–Jersey × Landrace·Meishan) pigs, with initial live body weight of 27.5 ± 2.4 kg, were treated with AIgY or non-immunized control egg yolk powder (NIgY) at the inclusion level of 75 mg/kg diet. Following a 104-day trial, the pigs were slaughtered for analyzing the carcass and meat quality traits. The perirenal, mesenteric and subcutaneous fat depots were weighed and the diameter of adipocytes from different fat depots was measured with histological methods. Serum concentrations of insulin and leptin as well as the activities of malic enzyme (ME) and lipoprotein lipase (LPL) in adipose tissue were measured. Dietary supplementation of AIgY enhanced average daily gain and feed efficiency by 13.03% (P < 0.01) and 7.49%, respectively, with no influence on feed consumption. AIgY increased the lean mass by 10.3% (P < 0.01) without affecting the dressing percentage. Backfat thickness at 6th–7th rib and the weights of perirenal, mesenteric and subcutaneous fat depots were reduced by 24.14% (P < 0.01), 27.27% (P < 0.05), 20.42% (P < 0.01) and 29.21% (P < 0.01), respectively. Dietary supplementation of AIgY reduced the size of adipocytes in all the three fat pads (P < 0.05). The meat color was improved whereas the marbling score, the intramuscular fat content, and pH₄₅ of the longissimus muscle remained unaffected. Serum concentration of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) was significantly increased (P < 0.01) while urea-N content was reduced (P < 0.05). No alterations were detected for the serum levels of triacylglycerides (TG) and glucose. Serum concentrations of insulin and leptin were decreased by 26.19% (P < 0.05) and 26.53% (P < 0.05), respectively. LPL activity in adipose tissue was depressed significantly (P < 0.05) without affecting ME activity. This study demonstrates that dietary supplementation of AIgY can effectively improve growth and carcass composition of pigs and the changes of serum insulin and leptin levels as well as the tissue LPL activity may be involved in the acting mechanism.     

Insulin and dexamethasone regulate stearoyl-CoA desaturase mRNA levels and fatty acid synthesis in ovine adipose tissue explants

Sheep adipose tissue explants were maintained in culture for 24 h in the presence of insulin, dexamethasone, or insulin and dexamethasone, and stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD) messenger RNA (mRNA) levels and fatty acid synthesis were measured. Insulin increased SCD mRNA levels (P = 0.008) and synthesis of both saturated (P = 0.07) and unsaturated (P < 0.001) fatty acids but had the greatest effect on unsaturated fatty acid synthesis, resulting in the overall production of a greater (P < 0.001) proportion of monounsaturated fat. Dexamethasone, alone, had the opposite effect but actually potentiated the effect of insulin in stimulating SCD expression and both saturated and monounsaturated fatty acid synthesis, without affecting the relative proportions of each. Across adipose tissue depots, the effect of hormones was similar, although the increase in SCD mRNA levels (P = 0.008) and monounsaturated fatty acid synthesis (P < 0.001) was greater in subcutaneous adipose tissue than in the internal (omental and perirenal) depots. These data clearly show that, in ovine adipose tissue, changes in SCD gene expression in response to insulin and dexamethasone are associated with changes in monounsaturated fatty acid synthesis and suggest that it may be possible to develop strategies to manipulate sheep tissues to produce a less-saturated fatty acid profile.     

The effect of vitamin A supplementation on postnatal adipose tissue development of lambs

Vitamin A (retinoic acid) is known to be an adipogenic factor influencing both in vitro and in vivo cell development. This study aimed to determine its effect on lamb adipose tissue development during the early phase of postnatal development until 100 d of age. Male lambs (n = 24) of the Rasa Aragonesa breed were used. At birth, lambs were assigned to 1 of 2 experimental groups: 1) the control (C) group, which received feed without vitamin A supplementation, and 2) the vitamin A (V) group, which received a supplement of 500,000 IU/animal twice per week from birth to slaughter. The effect of vitamin A supplementation was studied at 16.8 +/- 0.35 kg of BW (58 +/- 0.7 d of age) and at 27.8 +/- 0.78 kg of BW (101 +/- 6.5 d of age). The variables of lamb growth, carcass, LM area, and lipid content were analyzed. To study adipose tissue development, the amount of adipose tissue accumulated, the size and number of adipocytes, and lipogenic enzyme activities (glycerol 3-phosphate dehydrogenase, fatty acid synthase, and glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase) of the omental, perirenal, and s.c. depots were quantified. Results showed that vitamin A supplementation had no influence on growth, carcass variables, LM area, and lipid content during lamb growth but that the number of adipocytes in the perirenal depot was 30% greater in lambs of the V group (P < 0.05) and that these lambs had smaller adipocytes in the omental and perirenal depots (P = 0.06) at 28 kg of BW (101 d of age). These results suggest that the intake of this level of vitamin A during the whole period of growth of the lambs influenced the processes of hyperplasia and hypertrophy in the different adipose depots, depending on their degree of maturity.     

Changes in activities of lipogenic enzymes in adipose tissue and liver of growing goats.

The lipogenic capacity of omental adipose tissue and liver was measured in vitro from samples obtained at slaughter from 33 young male goats. The animals were slaughtered either on the day of weaning (d 0) or 2, 14, or 56 d after weaning. Ages at weaning were 4 wk (early weaning) or 6 or 8 wk (late weaning). Blood samples from the jugular vein were taken before slaughter to measure the concentrations of plasma glucose and nonesterified fatty acids. There was a 30% decrease in glucose concentration after weaning. Nonesterified fatty acid concentration increased fourfold between d 0 and 2 after weaning. By d 14 after weaning, nonesterified fatty acids returned to basal concentration. The lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity of adipose tissue declined markedly (90%) on d 2 after weaning. Lipoprotein lipase activity returned to preweaning values by d 56 after weaning in those goats that had ad libitum access to feed. In adipose tissue, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP)-malate dehydrogenase activity fell by only 17% by d 2 after weaning and to 63% by d 14 after weaning. Lipoprotein lipase activity was closely related to metabolizable energy intake the day before slaughter. Acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase activity was low in adipose tissue and it increased only slightly by d 56 after weaning. The data indicated that LPL played a preponderant role in the restoration of lipid stores after weaning. High NADP-malate dehydrogenase activity together with a high concentration of plasma glucose by d 56 after weaning suggested that this enzyme activity could be enhanced by high glucose availability in goat kids. Activities of lipase, acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase, NADP-malate dehydrogenase, and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase in liver were essentially unaffected by weaning. The extent and rapidity of change of lipogenic enzymes of goat kids was much more pronounced in adipose tissue than in liver.     

Adipogenic gene expression and fatty acid composition in subcutaneous adipose tissue depots of Angus steers between 9 and 16 months of age

We have demonstrated that among carcass adipose tissue depots, brisket subcutaneous adipose tissue contains the greatest concentration of MUFA and lowest concentration of SFA. Therefore, we hypothesized that brisket subcutaneous adipose tissue depots would exhibit greater adipogenic gene expression over time than other major subcutaneous adipose tissue depots. Four Angus steers, each at 9, 12, 14, and 16 mo of age, were harvested and fresh subcutaneous adipose tissue samples were collected from over the brisket, chuck, rib, loin, sirloin, round, flank, and plate. Relative gene expression for C/EBPβ, PPARγ, carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1 beta (CPT-1β), stearoyl-coenzyme A desaturase (SCD), AMP-activated protein kinase alpha (AMPKα), and G-coupled protein receptor 43 (GPR43) was analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR. Expression of C/EBPβ, PPARγ, and CPT-1β was greatest at 12 to 14 mo of age (all P < 0.0001) and declined to very low abundance by 16 mo of age in all depots. Expression of PPARγ and CPT-1β was greater (P < 0.03) in flank, rib, and sirloin subcutaneous adipose tissues than in brisket and round adipose tissues. The expression of the SCD gene did not differ among the 4 age groups (P = 0.95). The palmitoleic:stearic acid ratio (an estimate of SCD activity) was greater (P < 0.001) in the subcutaneous adipose tissues from brisket, plate, and round than in the loin, rib, and sirloin. Conversely, subcutaneous adipose tissue from the loin, rib, and sirloin had greater (P < 0.001) SCD gene expression than the brisket, plate, and round. In general, subcutaneous adipose tissues with the highest concentration of MUFA and least SFA consistently exhibited the least SCD gene expression and adipogenic gene expression. We conclude that MUFA in the brisket and other depots with large SCD indices were deposited before 9 mo of age, during a time when the subcutaneous adipocytes were highly differentiated.     

Fatty acid elongation and desaturation enzyme activities of bovine liver and subcutaneous adipose tissue microsomes

Assay conditions were established for the fatty acid elongation and the delta 9 desaturase enzyme systems of bovine liver and adipose tissue microsomes; rat liver microsomes were used as a reference. Overall fatty acid elongation was determined by measuring the incorporation of [2-14C]malonyl-coenzyme A (CoA) to 14C-labeled stearate. Rat liver elongation activity was .50 +/- .02 nmol.min-1.mg protein-1; bovine liver microsomal elongation activity was substantially lower (P less than .05), with a mean value of .15 +/- .02 nmol.min-1.mg protein-1. The elongation activity of bovine s.c. adipose tissue microsomes (.42 +/- .10 nmol.min-1.mg protein-1) was not different (P greater than .05) from the activity observed in rat liver microsomes. To determine the fatty acid delta 9 desaturase activity, microsomes were incubated in the presence of [1-14C]stearoyl-CoA and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (reduced form) (NADH), and the production of radioactively labeled oleate was quantified. Microsomal delta 9 desaturase activity was similar in rat liver and bovine s.c. adipose tissue microsomes with rates of .15 +/- .04 and .21 +/- .05 nmol.min-1.mg protein-1, respectively. However, no desaturase activity was detected in bovine liver microsomes, indicating that the liver is not a major site of oleate synthesis in this species. To investigate differences in fatty acid metabolism relative to breed type, eight Angus and seven Braford heifers were slaughtered at approximately 12 mo of age. Subcutaneous fat thickness over the 12th-13th thoracic vertebrae was greater in the Angus heifers than in the Braford heifers. However, no differences (P greater than .05) were observed in mean adipocyte size or number of cells per gram of adipose tissue between the Angus and Braford heifers. Similarly, there were no significant differences between the Angus and Braford s.c. adipose tissues for microsomal fatty acid elongation or delta 9 desaturation, or for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP)-malate dehydrogenase, fatty acid synthetase, or the pentose cycle reductases. The inability of bovine liver to convert stearate to oleate was in agreement with the fatty acid composition of the liver lipid, which had a smaller percentage of oleate and a higher percentage of stearate than s.c. adipose tissue.     

Ovine adipose tissue monounsaturated fat content is correlated to depot-specific expression of the stearoyl-CoA desaturase gene

The basis for the variation in fatty acid composition in different ovine adipose tissue depots was investigated. The proportion of stearic (C18:0) and oleic (C18:1) acids vary in a site-specific fashion; abdominal depots (omental and perirenal) contain relatively more C18:0 than C18:1, and carcass depots, especially sternum, have a markedly higher proportion of C18:1. Additionally, expression of a number of lipogenic enzyme genes (stearoyl-CoA desaturase [SCD], acetyl-CoA carboxylase-alpha [ACC-alpha], lipoprotein lipase [LPL]) and the cytoskeletal protein gene alpha-tubulin vary among depots, although the pattern of variation differs for each mRNA. When these expression data were related to the mean cell volume of adipocytes pooled from all depots, a significant pattern emerged: expression of the ACC-alpha, LPL, and alpha-tubulin genes was highly correlated with the size of adipocytes. In contrast, when the expression of SCD mRNA was assessed as a function of mean cell volume, two populations of adipocytes emerged: no significant correlation was found between the expression of SCD mRNA per adipocyte and mean cell volume for the abdominal depots, although a highly significant correlation was observed between SCD gene expression and mean cell volume for the carcass and epicardial depots. Similarly, a highly significant correlation was found for the amount of C18:1 per adipocyte and the abundance of SCD mRNA per adipocyte for the carcass and epicardial depots, whereas no significant correlation was observed for these traits for the omental and perirenal depots. Thus, the SCD gene seems to be regulated in a depot-specific fashion and in a manner distinct from that of the ACC and LPL genes.