METABOLISM IN ADIPOSE TISSUE AND MUSCLE OF THE YOUNG PIG
Subcutaneous adipose tissue and intercostal and sartorius muscles from five barrows and five gilts at 20 kg liveweight were used to study lipogenesis, lipolysis, Na+, K+-ATPase-dependent respiration and protein synthesis. Lipogenesis rate measured by 14C-acetate incorporation into lipid was similar between barrows and gilts; and 100 μg insulin per mL enhanced (P < 0.1) subcutaneous adipose tissue lipogenesis by 74%. Lipolysis rate quantitated by glycerol release was similar between barrows and gilts (3546 and 4160 nmol g−1 2 h−1). Adenosine deaminase and norepinephrine together enhanced adipose tissue lipolytic response by 102%. Fractional and absolute rates of protein synthesis were similar between barrows and gilts (3.24 and 3.69% d−1; 6.01 and 6.06 mg g−1 d−1); and between intercostal and sartorius muscles. Barrows had lower Na+, K+-ATPase-dependent respiration than gilts and the maintenance of Na+ and K+ transmembrane ionic gradient in the muscle preparations accounted for 23–26% of total respiration. Key words: Pigs, adipose tissue, skeletal muscle, metabolism