M. Matsumoto et al., ULTRASTRUCTURAL-CHANGES IN FAT-CELLS AND BLOOD CAPILLARIES OF THE MAMMARY-GLAND IN STARVED MICE, Journal of veterinary medical science, 57(4), 1995, pp. 733-736
The effects of starvation on fat cells and blood capillaries of the fi
rst abdomino-inguinal mammary gland in mice were investigated by Light
and transmission electron microscopy. The body weight of starved mice
abruptly decreased to approximately 70% of that of controls at 3 days
of starvation and, thereafter, gradually decreased. In adipose tissue
s of mammary stroma, multilocular fat cells increased in number and cl
ustered during starvation to a glandular appearance at 6 days. Collage
n fibers increased in amount around mammary ducts and buds. By electro
n microscopy, multilocular fat cells possessed numerous mitochondria,
small lipid droplets, and plasmalemmal vesicles, while endothelial cel
ls of the blood capillaries showed numerous pinocytotic vesicles plus
short marginal folds and microvillous processes. These observations pr
ove that the number of pinocytotic vesicles in blood capillary endothe
lium is closely related with the increased amount of lipid of fat cell
s in the mammary gland during starvation.