The Sexual Dimorphism of Human Adipose Depots

Abstract

The amount and the distribution of body fat exhibit trajectories that are sex- and human species-specific and both are determinants for health. The enhanced accumulation of fat in the truncal part of the body as a risk factor for cardiovascular and metabolic diseases is well supported by epidemiological studies. In addition, a possible independent protective role of the gluteofemoral fat compartment and of the brown adipose tissue is emerging. The present narrative review summarizes the current knowledge on sexual dimorphism in fat depot amount and repartition and consequences on cardiometabolic and reproductive health. The drivers of the sex differences and fat depot repartition, considered to be the results of complex interactions between sex determination pathways determined by the sex chromosome composition, genetic variability, sex hormones and the environment, are discussed. Finally, the inter- and intra-depot heterogeneity in adipocytes and progenitors, emphasized recently by unbiased large-scale approaches, is highlighted.

Obesity: a gender-view

“…Men and women present specific differences in body composition, adipose tissue distribution, and metabolism, which begin in intrauterine life, continue throughout childhood, and become apparent during adolescence [ 20 ]. The gender difference in adipose tissue deposition relies on a complex interaction between several factors, i.e., genetic determinants, epigenetic mechanisms, specific adipose cell elements, hormonal determinants, and social and environmental influences [ 21 , 22 ]. Indeed, the combination of sex chromosomes, genetic variability, and environment play a relevant role.…”

Sex differences in thermoregulation in mammals: Implications for energy homeostasis

“…Thus, women have a greater proportion of body fat mass than men, intimately linked to reproductive function, with larger depots of subcutaneous fat (with thermoregulatory value). In contrast, men tend to gain more visceral fat, which is associated with an increased risk of cardiometabolic complications ( 184 ). Interestingly, it has been described that adipose tissue has higher metabolic rate per kilogram in women, which agrees with the initiation of cold-induced thermoregulatory mechanisms at warmer temperatures and the increased expression of genes involved in mitochondrial function ( 168 ).…”

Improved whole-mount immunofluorescence protocol for consistent and robust labeling of adultDrosophila melanogasteradipose tissue

“…The protocol described here, in conjunction with fluorescence microscopy, can be used to examine adipose tissue cellular biology during homeostasis as well as in response to genetic manipulations and/or changes in organismal physiology. In mammals, age, diet, sex, exercise, and hormones influence fat body distribution, adipocyte proliferation, differentiation, and growth, adipose tissue browning and beiging, lipid storage, metabolic activity, and gene expression (Boulet et al, 2022; Farris et al, 2024; Lu et al, 2023; Naftaly et al, 2022; Pérez et al, 2016; Stanford and Goodyear, 2016; Zhao and Yue, 2024). Similarly, Drosophila fat body cellular morphology, mass, molecular signature, as well as energy storage and endocrine roles respond to aging, dietary input, physical activity, and sexual dimorphism (Diaz et al, 2023; Huang et al, 2022; Lu et al, 2023; Matsuoka et al, 2017; Song et al, 2023; Wat et al, 2020; Wat et al, 2021).…”