Ontogeny Of Epinephrine-Induced Lipolysis In Adipose-Tissue From Swine (Sus-Domesticus)

1. Quantitative assessment of the lipolytic activity of adipose tissue from neonatal and growing pigs is presented. 2. The maximal attainable lipolytic response (release of fatty acids or glycerol to the medium) induced by epinephrine increased ca. 4-fold between 12 hr post-partum and day 2, remained elevated for several weeks and declined in older pigs. 3. The sensitivity of epinephrine at most ages was inversely related to the maximal response, i.e. the ED 50 was increased ca. 5-fold in day 45 and older swine compared to neonatal piglets.