ARS | Publication request: Board Sponsored Invited Review: The biology and regulation of preadipocytes and adipocytes in meat animals

Submitted to: Journal of Animal Science
Publication Type: Review Article
Publication Acceptance Date: October 6, 2008
Publication Date: N/A

Interpretive Summary: The formation, development and regulation of fat cell precursors and fat cells are critical for adipose tissue function and lipid accretion in meat animals. Many factors including anatomical location and species dictate the formation of fat cells and fat cell gene expression and metabolism. Understanding the regulation of fat cell precursors and fat cells will lead to the capability to regulate lipid accretion in meat animals. Citation: Regulation of fat cells and cells that will ultimately become fat cells is critically important to lipid accretion in meat animals.

Technical Abstract: The quality and value of the carcass in domestic meat animals is reflected in its protein and fat content. Preadipocytes and adipocytes are important in establishing the overall fatness of a carcass, as well as being the main contributors to the marbling component needed for consumer preference of meat products. Although some fat accumulation is essential, any excess fat that is deposited into adipose depots other than the marbling fraction is energetically unfavorable and lowers efficiency of production. Hence, this review is focused on current knowledge about the biology and regulation of the important cells of adipose tissue; preadipocytes and adipocytes.