Development of Adipose Tissue in the Juvenile Red Sea Bream

Abstract

Histological observations were performed to clarify the developmental process of the perivisceral adipose tissue in the early life stage of the red sea bream, Pagrus major. The adipocytes were first observed in the pancreas of 37-day-old juveniles. Development of the adipose tissue progressed in the pancreas covering the intestine. Tissue volume (Day 37 to 56) increased acutely with growth of the fish. On the other hand, no significant change was recognized in the average size of adipocytes in this period. This result suggests that hyperplastic growth by active recruitment of precursor cells predominates the early development of the adipose tissue.