Human Adipose Tissue Composition and Age

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Abstract
Analysis of adipose tissue specimens obtained at necropsy from individuals ranging from birth to 86 years of age was carried out for water, lipid, nitrogen, DNA, and fatty acids. Both subcutaneous and perirenal samples were studied in each instance. The water, lipid, nitrogen, and DNA content as well as the fatty acid proportions are age related. The lipid content of adipose tissue accounted for only about 40% of adipose tissue weight in the newborn period and increased with increasing age to 75% in the adult. Concentrations of water, nitrogen, and DNA declined with age.