Triglyceride mobilization in cultured adipocytes of human infants.

Cultured adipocytes of human infants, in the absence of known lipolytic agents, are capable of mobilizing their own stored triglycerides as showed by a decrease in the content of stored triglycerides with time. The medium used is synthetic, fortified with 20% fetal calf serum and contains adequate amount of glucose. It is suggested that lipolysis occurs because the metabolic balance favors lipolysis in the absence of adequate amount of free fatty acids in the medium. Conversely lipogenesis is favored in the presence of such fatty acids.