Multilocular adipose tissue exists in humans during fetal life and in newborns, concentrated in the pelvic and shoulder girdle regions. Most disappears slowly after birth and small amounts are found in adults.
This tissue is of great importance in hibernating animals, especially during their emergence from hibernation. During this stage the mitochondria of these type of adipocytes release heat instead of producing ATP. The liberated heat warms the blood of vessels that pass through the multilocular adipose tissue and slowly warms the rest of the body.
The cytoplasm of multilocular adipocytes is almost entirely occupied by small lipid droplets, giving the cells a spongy appearance. Their nuclei are spherical and placed in the cell center or at their periphery. There is always a very distinct rim of cytoplasm at the cell’s periphery.
By hovering the cursor or clicking on the images, several adipocytes are highlighted, allowing you to distinguish their cytoplasm containing lipid droplets (in light brown or pink) and nuclei (in blue).
Multilocular adipose tissue. Staining: HE. Medium magnification.
Multilocular adipose tissue. Staining: HE. High magnification.
END OF CHAPTER 5 – ADIPOSE TISSUE