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Adipose tissue lipolytic activity and urinary catecholamine excretion in cold-acclimated piglets
P Herpin1, R Bertin, F De Marco
1Institut national de la recherche agronomique (INRA), Station de recherches porcines, L'Hermitage, France.
Canadian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
|March 1, 1991
Summary
Chronic cold exposure in piglets increases noradrenaline and dopamine production, enhancing fat breakdown for thermoregulation. This adaptation is crucial for energy mobilization during cold acclimation.
Area of Science:
- Physiology
- Animal Science
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Thermoregulation is vital for survival, especially in young animals.
- Cold exposure challenges an organism's ability to maintain core body temperature.
- Pigs are a relevant model for studying mammalian thermoregulation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of chronic cold exposure on catecholamine production in piglets.
- To assess changes in noradrenaline-induced lipolytic rate in response to cold acclimation.
- To elucidate the role of these factors in piglet thermoregulatory mechanisms.
Main Methods:
- Piglets (5-8 weeks old) were exposed to cold (12°C) for 3 weeks.
- Catecholamine levels (noradrenaline, adrenaline, dopamine) were measured in 24-h urine samples.
- In vitro lipolytic activity in white adipose tissue was assessed using noradrenaline stimulation.
Main Results:
- Cold-exposed piglets showed increased food intake (20%).
- Urinary noradrenaline and dopamine excretion significantly increased (up to eightfold) after 10 days of cold.
- Cold acclimation enhanced noradrenaline-induced lipolysis in subcutaneous white fat, increasing responsiveness sixfold.
Conclusions:
- Chronic cold exposure significantly alters catecholamine production and lipolytic responsiveness in piglets.
- These hormonal and biochemical changes are key to cold acclimation mechanisms.
- Findings contribute to understanding shivering and non-shivering thermogenesis in young mammals.