Blood flow and fatty acid release by cervical adipose tissue of rabbits

1. A direct technique was used to measure blood flow and exchange of metabolites by cervical adipose tissue in 3-month-old and adult rabbits.2. The initial blood flow from adipose tissue of fed 3-month-old rabbits was 0.45 ml./g tissue.min and the tissue released fatty acids and glycerol. In similar rabbits unfed for 24 hr, fatty acid release increased fourfold. Both the rate of blood flow and the arterio-venous difference of fatty acid increased. In fed adult rabbits blood flow was 0.16 ml./g tissue.min.3. Noradrenaline infusion in both young and adult rabbits stimulated a rapid and large increase in cervical adipose tissue blood flow together with an increase in fatty acid and glycerol release. Glucose uptake remained small. No increase in local heat production in cervical adipose tissue was detected during noradrenaline infusion.4. It is concluded that cervical adipose tissue in adult rabbits is actively concerned in energy storage and supply.