Expression pattern of developmental genes and adipogenic transcription factors in the different fat depots of C57BL/6 mice. (a) White adipose tissues from two subcutaneous fat depots—one from the flank (Flk) and the other from the interscapular area of the back surrounding the brown fat pad (Bck), three intra-abdominal fat depots from epididymal fat (Epd), perirenal fat (Prr) and mesenteric fat (Msn) and interscapular brown adipose tissue (BAT) were collected from 14-week-old male C57BL/6 mice under random feeding condition. Total RNA was extracted, and cDNA was synthesized. Gene expression of developmental genes Hoxa5, Hoxc8, Hoxc9, Shox2, En1, and Tbx15 was quantified by real-time PCR using the standard curve method, with expression in flank depot assigned a value of 100 arbitrary units. Five independent samples each from a different mouse (n = 5) were each analyzed in duplicate or triplicate. Differences between all depots were statistically analyzed by one-way analysis of variance with the Games-Howell post hoc test. The bar indicates significant difference (P < 0.05) between depots. Gene expression levels in two subcutaneous fat (Flk, Bck) and BAT are shown by the open bars, and the gene expressions in three intra-abdominal fat depots (Epd, Prr, Msn) are shown by the filled bars. Each fat depot shows a unique pattern of distribution. (b) Gene expression of four adipogenic transcription factors of Cebpb, Cebpd, Cebpa, and Pparg2 were assessed by quantitative real-time PCR using the same methods and samples indicated above.