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Review
. 2017 May 5:8:41.
doi: 10.1186/s40104-017-0174-4. eCollection 2017.

Adipose tissue lipolysis and remodeling during the transition period of dairy cows

G Andres Contreras  1 , Clarissa Strieder-Barboza  1 , William Raphael  1
Affiliations
Review

Adipose tissue lipolysis and remodeling during the transition period of dairy cows

G Andres Contreras et al. J Anim Sci Biotechnol. .

Abstract

Elevated concentrations of plasma fatty acids in transition dairy cows are significantly associated with increased disease susceptibility and poor lactation performance. The main source of plasma fatty acids throughout the transition period is lipolysis from adipose tissue depots. During this time, plasma fatty acids serve as a source of calories mitigating the negative energy balance prompted by copious milk synthesis and limited dry matter intake. Past research has demonstrated that lipolysis in the adipose organ is a complex process that includes not only the activation of lipolytic pathways in response to neural, hormonal, or paracrine stimuli, but also important changes in the structure and cellular distribution of the tissue in a process known as adipose tissue remodeling. This process involves an inflammatory response with immune cell migration, proliferation of the cellular components of the stromal vascular fraction, and changes in the extracellular matrix. This review summarizes current knowledge on lipolysis in dairy cattle, expands on the new field of adipose tissue remodeling, and discusses how these biological processes affect transition cow health and productivity.

Keywords: Adipose tissue macrophages; Adipose tissue remodeling; Lipolysis; Transition dairy cows.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Lipolysis induces adipose tissue (AT) remodeling. This process is characterized by macrophage infiltration and changes in inflammatory phenotype. During moderate lipolysis, macrophage infiltration is limited and involves mainly the M2 phenotype (anti-inflammatory). In contrast, during excessive lipolysis, most infiltrating macrophages are M1 (pro-inflammatory) and enhance lipolysis and reduce adipocyte insulin sensitivity. Excessive lipolysis and AT remodeling increase disease susceptibility and negatively impact lactation performance
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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