Function of Chick Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue During the Embryonic and Posthatch Period

Area of Science:

• Animal Science
• Physiology
• Metabolism

Background:

• Excess abdominal fat is a concern in the broiler industry.
• Chick subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) develops earlier and is more abundant than abdominal adipose tissue.
• Limited data exists on the developmental changes and function of chick SAT during embryonic and posthatch periods.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the developmental changes in adipocyte differentiation, lipid synthesis, lipolysis, and fatty acid β-oxidation in chick SAT from embryonic day 12 (E12) to posthatch day 9.5 (D9.5).
• To elucidate the role of chick SAT as an energy supply tissue.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of adipocyte differentiation markers.
• Measurement of lipid synthesis and lipolysis rates.
• Assessment of fatty acid β-oxidation activity.
• Quantification of mitochondrial copy number and lipid content from E12 to D9.5.

Main Results:

• Chick SAT exhibits significant developmental changes from E12 to D9.5.
• Mitochondrial copy number and fatty acid β-oxidation levels markedly increased during the posthatch period.
• Subcutaneous adipose tissue demonstrated functions of energy supply via lipolysis and resembled brown adipose tissue in certain metabolic activities.

Conclusions:

• Chick subcutaneous adipose tissue is a vital energy supply tissue during the posthatch period.
• SAT possesses functions beyond simple lipid storage, including energy provision similar to brown adipose tissue.
• These findings advance the understanding of energy metabolism in chicks and provide a basis for studying lipid metabolism physiology.