Effects of breed and adipose depot location on responsiveness and sensitivity to adrenergic stimulation in ovine adipose tissue.

Karakul tail adipose tissue had the smallest adipocytes, and this tissue was also the least lipolytically responsive. However, lipolytic responsiveness did not vary with breed or depot when expressed per gram of tissue. Sensitivity to isoproterenol and epinephrine was higher in tissues of the Karakul than of the Outaouais breed of sheep. As well, there was evidence for alpha-antilipolytic action in Karakul but not Outaouais adipose tissue. The Karakul breed is a unique model for the study of adipocyte metabolism in that a wide range of adipocyte volumes exist within an individual, and the Karakul adipose tissue appears to be particularly sensitive to adrenergic regulation.