The Development of Adipose Tissue in Sheep Foetuses

Abstract

During development of adipose tissue in sheep foetuses pre-adipose Iobules were formed before future fat cells accumulated fat. Pre-adipose lobules were first observed in the renal capsule of foetuses of 5-8 cm crown-rump length, during the second month of gestation. The initial storage of fat occurred in 9 cm foetuses. The adipose lobules were wholly developed at the end of the fourth month. Initially, owing to the coalescence of the formed vacuoles, univacuolar cells were rapidly formed. During the fifth month of gestation, however, a greater number of plurivacuolar cells were encountered.