In vitro glycerol metabolism in adipose tissue from fasted pregnant rats.

Abstract

Lumbar fat pad oieces taken from fed and 48 h starved 19-day pregnant rats and virgin controls were incubated for different times with [u-14cJ glycerol, albumin and glucose. The glycerol conversion rates to either co2 , saponified lipids and glyceride glycerol were higher in the pregnant rat tissue than in the controls. Starvation produces a greater decline in these parameters in pregnant rat tissue than in controls. The lipolysis rate was elevated in pregnant rat tissue. The augmented glycerol utilization by adipose tissue in the mother would contribute to the net deposition of fat, despite augmented lipolysis. In the starved state the enhanced lipolvsis of the mother is potenciated by a decreased reutilization of glycerol, allowing a maximal net mobilization of the fat stores.