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. 2019 Jul 11:(149):10.3791/59499.
doi: 10.3791/59499.

Identification and Dissection of Diverse Mouse Adipose Depots

Devika P Bagchi  1 , Ormond A MacDougald  2
Affiliations

Identification and Dissection of Diverse Mouse Adipose Depots

Devika P Bagchi et al. J Vis Exp. .

Abstract

Adipose tissues are complex organs with a wide array of functions, including storage and mobilization of energy in response to local and global needs, uncoupling of metabolism to generate heat, and secretion of adipokines to regulate whole-body homeostasis and immune responses. Emerging research is identifying important regional differences in the developmental, molecular, and functional profiles of adipocytes located in discrete depots throughout the body. Different properties of the depots are medically relevant since metabolic diseases often demonstrate depot-specific effects. This protocol will provide investigators with a detailed anatomic atlas and dissection guide for the reproducible and accurate identification and excision of diverse mouse adipose tissues. Standardized dissection of discrete adipose depots will allow detailed comparisons of their molecular and metabolic characteristics and contributions to local and systemic pathologic states under various nutritional and environmental conditions.

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Figures

Figure 1:
Figure 1:. Schematic depiction of mouse adipose depots dissected in this protocol.
This image has been adapted from Bagchi et al., 2018.
Figure 2:
Figure 2:. Gross anatomical locations of mouse adipose depots.
Gross anatomy of (A) anterior subcutaneous, (B) brown, (C) epididymal (b, bladder), (D) ovarian (u, uterine horns), (E) posterior subcutaneous (dorsolumbar (d), inguinal (i), gluteal (g)), (F) inguinal, (G) mesenteric, (H) perirenal (k, kidney), (I) retroperitoneal (k, kidney), (J) pericardial (h, heart), and (K) popliteal adipose depots in C57BL/6J adult mice. Arrows point to specific depots if multiple depots are depicted. Relevant organs are designated by appropriate letters.
Figure 3:
Figure 3:. Histological evaluation of discrete mouse adipose depots.
Histology of (A) anterior subcutaneous, (B) dorsolumbar, (C) inguinal, (D) gluteal, (E) brown, (F) gonadal, (G) perirenal, (H) retroperitoneal, (I) omental, (J) mesenteric, (K) pericardial, (L) popliteal, (M) constitutive and (N) regulated bone marrow adipose, (O) intermuscular, and (P) infrapatellar depots in C57BL/6J adult mice. Tissues were isolated according to the given protocol, fixed overnight in 10% neutral buffered formalin, processed, and embedded in paraffin. 5 μm sections were stained with H&E. Most images were taken at 100x magnification; Scale bar = 100 μm.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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