Lipogenesis in interscapular brown adipose tissue of virgin, pregnant and lactating rats. The effects of intragastric feeding

Abstract

Lipogenesis in brown adipose tissue of virgin rats increased 8--10-fold after intragastric feeding with glucose or medium-chain triacylglycerol, and this increase was prevented by short-term insulin deficiency. Brown adipose tissue increased in weight during pregnancy, regressed during lactation and hypertrophied again on weaning; the rate of lipogenesis paralleled these changes. Glucose did not increase brown-adipose-tissue lipogenesis at mid-lactation.