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Histochemical and Cellular Aspects of Adipose Tissue Development in Decapitated Pig Fetuses: An Ontogeny Study

1984; Oxford University Press; Volume: 58; Issue: 6 Linguagem: Inglês

10.2527/jas1984.5861540x

1544-7847

G.J. Hausman, G. Thomas,

Adipose Tissue and Metabolism

Adipose tissue from fetuses decapitated at 45 d of gestation was removed and structurally and histochemically analyzed at 65, 85 and 110 d of gestation. Subcutaneous adipose tissue from decapitated and control fetuses at 65 d of gestation was histologically and histochemically similar. A reduced number of fat cell clusters in the outer layer of subcutaneous tissue and a poorly developed dermis was evident in decapitated fetuses at 85 d of gestation. Fat cell size was similar for control and decapitated fetuses at 65 d of gestation, whereas cells in 85-d-old decapitated fetuses were larger than cells in control fetuses. Adipocytes from control and 85-d-old decapitated fetuses were histochemically similar except for an elevated number of esterase positive cells in decapitated fetuses. At 110 d of gestation, adipocytes from decapitated fetuses had higher activities of the following enzymes than did control adpocytes: malate dehydrogenase (NADP dependent), glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (NADP dependent), isocitrate dehydrogenase (NADP dependent), a-glycerol phosphate dehydrogenase (NAD dependent), NADPH-tetrazoleum reductase and esterase. Levels of succinate dehydrogenase, glutamate dehydrogenase and NADH-tetrazoleum reductase were similar in cells from controls and decapitate fetuses. These data indicate that fetal decapitation probably exerts a positive influence on enzymes involved in lipid synthesis. However, fetal decapitation also exerts a negative influence on fat cell hyperplasia.