Early Appearance of Epicardial Adipose Tissue through Human Development

Background: Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is a visceral fat depot with unique anatomic, biomolecular and genetic features. Due to its proximity the coronary arteries myocardium, dysfunctional EAT may contribute development progression of cardiovascular metabolic-related adiposity-based chronic diseases. The aim this work was describe, by morphological techniques, early origin EAT. Methods: adipogenesis studied in 41 embryos from 32 gestational days (GD) 8 weeks (GW) 23 fetuses until full term (from 9 36 GW). Results: This process comprises five stages. Stage 1 appears as mesenchyme at 33–35 GD. 2 characterized angiogenesis 42–45 3 covers up 34 GW appearance small fibers extracellular matrix. 4 visible around arteries, multilocular adipocytes primitive lobules, 5 present unilocular definitive lobules. precursor end first month atrioventricular grooves. Unilocular appear eighth month. Conclusions: origin, plasticity clinical implications, factors such maternal health nutrition might influence consequence.