Abstract
The objectives of this study were to determine the roles of adipocyte hypertrophy and hyperplasia in the prehibernatory weight gain of adult woodchucks and in the increased body weight of woodchucks born in captivity. The seasonal increase in weight in wild adult woodchucks was associated with an increase approaching tenfold in both body fat and in subcutaneous and retroperitoneal adipocyte size. There was no increase in total adipocyte number. Four groups of woodchucks were used in the study of the effect of captivity: I) animals born to females bred in the laboratory; II) those born to females captured just before parturition; III) those captured at weaning; and IV) animals captured at 12 months of age. At 14 months non-fat body weight and subcutaneous adipocyte size were equal in the four groups. The males but not the females in Groups I, II, and III had both an increased body fat content and a significantly increased total adipocyte number in comparison to the males in Group IV and the adults in the seasonal study. This study demonstrates that captivity at an early age, unlike prehibernatory weight gain, is associated with an increased adipocyte number in male woodchucks, and this increase can occur after weaning.
Highlights
The objectives of this study were to determine the roles of adipocyte hypertrophy and hyperplasia in the prehibernatory weight gain of adult woodchucks and in the increased body weight of woodchucks born in captivity
Body weight and total body fat increased progressively in both males and females from May to October (Table 1).The male woodchucks were heavier than the females in June (P< 0.05) but not in August and October
T h e seasonal increases in body fat were reflected in the increasing fat cell sizes in both the retroperitoneal and subcutaneous depots
Summary
The objectives of this study were to determine the roles of adipocyte hypertrophy and hyperplasia in the prehibernatory weight gain of adult woodchucks and in the increased body weight of woodchucks born in captivity. L This study demonstrates that captivity at an early age, unlike prehibernatory weight gain, is associated with an increased adipocyte number in male woodchucks, and this increase can occur after weaning.-Young, R. Weight gain and weight loss in adult rats [7] and in adult humans [8] are usually associated with changes in the sizes of the individual fat cells rather than increases or decreases in the number of body fat cells It is apparent, that under certain circumstances increased adipose tissue cell numbers can occur in both rats [9] and man [10] at an older age. The objectives of the present study were to determine whether the permanent weight gain induced by captivity affects adipose tissue morphology differently from the transient weight gain that occurs prior to hibernation
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
