Effects of volatile fatty acids, ketone bodies, glucose, and insulin on lipolysis in bovine adipose tissue

Abstract

Our interest in the aetiology of ketosis in cattle recently led us to investigate possible metabolic control mechanisms of fat mobilization in bovine adipose tissue. Acetic, propionic and butyric acid are the major sources of metabolic energy made available to the adult ruminant by digestion and absorption. No studies have been published on the effects of these volatile fatty acids on the rate of lipolysis in adipose tissue either from monogastric mammals or from ruminants.