Department of Animal Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington 99163, USA; email:
McNamara Research in Agriculture Firm, Pullman, Washington 99163, USA.
Annu Rev Anim Biosci. 2018 Feb 15;6:177-195. doi: 10.1146/annurev-animal-030117-014720. Epub 2017 Dec 1.
The adipose tissue serves an essential role for survival and reproduction in mammals, especially females. It serves primarily as an energy storage organ and is directly linked to the reproductive success of mammals. In wild animals, adipose tissue function is linked to seasonality of the food supply to support fetal growth and milk production. Adipose tissue depots in ruminants and non-ruminants can secrete many signal molecules (adipokines) that act as hormones and as pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines. The visceral adipose tissue especially appears to be more endocrinologically active than other adipose depots. The endocrine function is important for the overall long-term regulation of energy metabolism and plays an important role in the adaptation to lactation in many mammalian species, including humans. Furthermore, endocrine signals from adipose tissue depots contribute to fertility modulation, immune function, and inflammatory response. Energy homeostasis is modulated by changes in feed intake, insulin sensitivity, and energy expenditure, processes that can be influenced by adipokines in the brain and in peripheral tissues.
脂肪组织在哺乳动物的生存和繁殖中起着至关重要的作用，尤其是对雌性动物而言。它主要作为能量储存器官，并与哺乳动物的生殖成功直接相关。在野生动物中，脂肪组织的功能与食物供应的季节性有关，以支持胎儿生长和乳汁分泌。反刍动物和非反刍动物的脂肪组织可以分泌许多信号分子（脂肪因子），这些分子作为激素和促炎及抗炎细胞因子发挥作用。内脏脂肪组织似乎比其他脂肪组织更具内分泌活性。内分泌功能对于能量代谢的整体长期调节非常重要，并且在许多哺乳动物物种（包括人类）的泌乳适应中起着重要作用。此外，脂肪组织储存库的内分泌信号有助于生育调节、免疫功能和炎症反应。通过改变采食量、胰岛素敏感性和能量消耗来调节能量平衡，这些过程可以受到大脑和外周组织中脂肪因子的影响。
