Alterations with age in composition and lipolytic activity of adipose tissue from male and female chickens

Synopsis

The composition and lipolytic activity of adipose tissue from male and female chickens between 4 weeks of age and maturity was studied. The triglyceride to DNA ratio doubled in male adipose tissue during this time but increased seven‐fold in females, suggesting that the latter had larger adipocytes. The protein to DNA ratios were constant throughout.

The lipolytic sensitivity of adipocytes to glucagon did not alter with age but the concentration of glucagon producing a maximal response decreased. Noradrena‐line sensitivity, never very great, was lost after 16 weeks but re‐appeared in the adult male. The total lipolytic response of the tissue decreased, in terms of the dry weight (representing triglyceride content), but was constant in terms of the DNA content of the tissue, suggesting that the cell protoplasm was equally active at all ages from 12 weeks to maturity.

Notes

Present address: Department of Biochemistry, University of Edinburgh Medical School, Teviot Place, Edinburgh EH8 9AG, Scotland.