Dynamics of the development of subcutaneous fat depots in rabbits – a gross anatomical and microscopic study

In this study, gross anatomical and microscopic features of interscapular (IsFD) and inguinal (InFD) fat depots of 24 New Zealand White rabbits were evaluated. Rabbits were equally distributed into 4 groups: 1st - newborns, 2nd - 1 month old, 3rd - 2 months old and 4th - 3 months old. The cranial subcutaneous fat pad in newborns covered dorsal and ventral cervical and interscapular regions. As age advanced, cervical lobes underwent a rapid reduction but the development of interscapular lobes continued. IsFD in rabbits from 1st and 2nd group was composed of both white and brown adipocytes, while in 3rd and 4th groups it consisted of white adipocytes only. InFD in rabbits from all tested groups occupied respective inguinal region and no age-dependent changes in shape and topography were observed. In all groups InFD was composed of white adipocytes only. The highest growth rate of interscapular and inguinal adipocytes was established in one-month-old rabbits. Differences in anatomy and histology of interscapular and inguinal fat depots in rabbits could be successfully used for comparison in other experiments in the field of adipobiology and autologous transplantation, where fat depots undergo significant morphological changes.