Biological distribution and significance of brown adipose tissue

Abstract

1. The structure, location, identification and thermogenic function of brown adipose tissue is discussed before describing its distribution in animals. 2. With a few interesting exceptions, brown fat occurs almost exclusively in mammals. 3. This tissue has been positively identified in thirteen orders, but more thorough investigations are required before its absence can be confirmed in the remaining eight mammalian orders. 4. Factors influencing the amount and activity of brown fat seen between and within species are numerous, but some of the most important are body size, diet, environmental temperature, age and reproductive state. 5. The role brown fat, and the effects of impairments in its function, are described in relation to thermoregulation and the control of energy balance and body composition.