Cold-induced changes in fatty acids of the rat and hamster

Abstract

Data are presented to show that cold acclimation induces an increase in the relative level of unsaturation in white adipose tissue of both the rat and hamster. This elevated level of unsaturation is maintained during hibernation in the hamster. Brown adipose shows no increase in unsaturation under these same conditions. During the process of cold acclimation, a relatively higher level of unsaturation occurs in the liver of the hamster but not in that of the rat. Hibernation does not alter the level of saturation in the liver of the hamster.