Seasonal changes in hormone-sensitive and lipoprotein lipase mRNA concentrations in marmot white adipose tissue

White adipose tissue (WAT) and plasma samples were obtained from yellow-bellied marmots (Marmota flaviventris) throughout the year. Mean plasma triacylglycerol (TG), free fatty acids (FFAs), and glycerol were determined. There was a clear increase in FFAs and decrease in mean TG and glycerol during the hibernation period when animals were fasting, suggesting increased lipolysis. RNA was isolated from WAT biopsies at four times in the year: spring, summer, fall, and winter. There were significant changes in the relative levels of mRNA for lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) during the body mass cycle of the marmot. The relative levels of LPL mRNA are high during the mass gain phase of the year and that of HSL mRNA are high during the fasting period when endogenous lipid is utilized. These results suggest that the genes for LPL and HSL are regulated seasonally to control the adipose mass depot in marmots.