Growth and distribution of human fetal brown fat

Macroscopic and microscopic examination of adipose tissue was carried out in a series of 20 human fetuses, ranging in weight from 380–3032 gm, in an attempt to identify all areas of brown (multilocular) fat development and growth. Brown fat distribution in the human fetus takes the form of a highcollared vest affording coverage to the cervical, thoracic and abdominal viscera. Much of this fat lies deep within the body immediately outside the pleural and peritoneal membranes. the remainder overlies or borders muscles of the shoulder girdle and neck as distinct brown fat deposits deep to the subcutaneous layer of white (unilocular) fat. All brown fat bodies contain unilocular cells but they occur in very small numbers in the brown fat bodies of the posterior cervical triangle, anterior mediastinum and perirenal and suprailiac regions. Brown fat bodies usually develop along the course of large blood vessels and several of them develop direct vascular connections with the liver and kidneys. The total weight of fetal brown fat increases at a rate directly proportional to that of the liver and kidneys up to 2134 gm body weight and to that of the liver beyond this weight.