Comparative study of in vitro lipogenesis in various adipose tissues in the growing domestic pig (Sus domesticus).

Activities of acetyl-CoA-carboxylase, malic enzyme and glucose-6-phosphate-dehydrogenase were measured in seven different anatomical sites in the growing pig (20-120 kg weight). The three enzyme activities increased up to 40-60 kg weight and then decreased, malic enzyme becoming the main producer of NADPH, irrespective of the adipose tissue. Subcutaneous adipose tissue of the neck area was much thicker and exhibited much lower lipogenic enzyme activities than backfat. Subcutaneous adipose tissue is heterogeneous in the pig with some areas exhibiting very low lipogenesis and high lipid deposition importing triglycerides from other areas with high lipogenesis. However, these conclusions based on the measurement of enzyme activity potentials need to be confirmed with measurements of actual activities.