Lipolysis in Subcutaneous and Perirenal Adipose Tissue from Sheep and Dairy Steers2

Abstract

The present investigation was undertaken to examine several hormones for lipolytic potential in ruminant subcutaneous and perirenal adipose tissue. A tissue slice system was developed which gave linear rates of fatty acid and glycerol release during 2 hr incubations of perirenal and subcutaneous tissue from sheep and dairy steers. Epinephrine (5 µg/rnl) or theophylline (1 µmole/ml) increased lipolysis one- to twofold in subcutaneous and perirenal adipose tissue of sheep and dairy steers. Epinephrine and theophylline in combination increased the lipolytic rate approximately additive of rates obtained with each individually. Glucagon (5 µg/ml) and β-estradiol (5 µm/ml) additions did not enhance the lipolytic rate in adipose tissue slices from either site. In dairy steers, subcutaneous adipose tissue had a slightly greater lipolytic rate than did perirenal fat. Perirenal adipose tissue of sheep displayed a slightly higher rate of fatty acid and glycerol release than subcutaneous adipose tissue for all treatments. Copyright © 1977. American Society of Animal Science . Copyright 1977 by American Society of Animal Science.