Cellularity and Lipogenic Enzyme Activities of Porcine Intramuscular Adipose Tissue

Abstract

The chemical composition, cellularity and lipogenic enzyme activities of porcine intramuscular adipose tissue were determined and compared to subcutaneous and intermuscular adipose sites. The enzymes studied were acetyl CoA carboxylase, citrate cleavage enzyme, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase, malic enzyme, L α-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase, and glycerokinase. It was found that the three adipose sites studied varied significantly in enzyme activities, cellularity and chemical composition. Intramuscular adipose tissue had lower lipogenic enzyme activities, smaller cell sizes, and lower lipid content than subcutaneous or intermuscular adipose tissue. There was a close relationship between enzyme activities and magnitude of cell volume. Though the activity of the intramuscular site was low as compared to other sites, it possessed substantially adequate levels of enzymes which would account for its in situ lipid synthesis and deposition in the interfascicular spaces of muscle. Copyright © 1974. American Society of Animal Science . Copyright 1974 by American Society of Animal Science