Untersuchungen über die Zellvermehrung im weissen Fettgewebe der Maus bei durch Aurothioglukose experimentell erzeugter Adipositas

Abstract

Epididymal fat pads (white adipose tissue) of adult male albino mice of the NMRI strain rendered obese by the administration of aurothioglucose were investigated. Cytophotometric measurements (DNA content of single cells), chemical determination of DNA content of fat pads, determination of average fat cell diameter (as a mean of calculating the number of fat cells), and, to determine cell proliferation, radioautography, were employed to demonstrate changes in the number of fat cells and of cells of connective tissue. It was found that the number of fat cells did not change during the development of obesity, indicating that increased amounts of fat to be stored failed to constitute a stimulus for cell proliferation. In contrast, connective tissue and blood vessels revealed striking increases in cellular proliferation. The number of connective tissue cells was found to be correlated to the amount of fat stored in fat cells. Increased storage of fat thus increases the requirement of connective tissue and of blood supply.