RNA synthesis measured by the incorporation of orotic acid-6-14C into RNA was investigated in isolated adipose tissue of control rats and of rats adapted to periodic hyperphagia, evoked by meal-feeding (a single 2-h meal per day). Both groups were fasted for 22 h and subsequently fed a measured test meal for another 2 h. It was revealed that 2 and 4 h after feeding there was no significant change in comparison with values during fasting, whereas in tissue of meal-fed rats the specific activity of RNA gradually increased by 22% and 41% respectively. The difference between controls and meal-fed rats was even much more marked if the specific activity of RNA in fat cells, isolated after incubation of the tissue, was measured. A significantly greater response of meal-fed rats was found when protein synthesis and lipogenesis in adipose tissue were assessed under the same experimental conditions. The possibility is discussed that the enhanced RNA and protein synthesis in adipose tissue of meal-fed rats is associated with de novo synthesis of enzymes involved in adaptive hyperlipogenesis.