Adipose tissue development in the fetal pig after decapitation.

The effect of fetal decapitation on adipose tissue development in utero was studied in the pig. Pig fetuses were decapitated at 45 days of gestation, and dorsal subcutaneous adipose tissue was analyzed at 110 days of gestation. The histology, histochemistry, ultrastructure, size and lipoprotein lipase activity of adipocytes from decapitated and sham-decapitated control fetuses were determined. Decapitation resulted in a poorly developed dermis and epidermis, a poorly developed outer layer of adipose tissue and larger fat cells that were metabolically and structurally more mature. Fewer fat cell clusters in decapitated fetuses were associated with fewer blood vessels in the subcutaneous layers. The results of this study demonstrate that fat cell development in subcutaneous tissues may be an integral aspect of the development of skin and associated structures.