Table 3.
Cellular measurements across the layers in reproductive states
| Groups | Mean ± SD | F | d.f. | p |
|
Adipocyte Size (µm2) | ||||
| Adult female | O*: 54.26 ± 8.75a | 152.4 | 5 | 0.0010 |
| M*:149.2 ± 1.88bc | ||||
| I*: 87.78 ± 3.32bd | ||||
| Pregnant | O: 34.90 ± 5.73 | 0.98 | 5 | 0.4693 |
| M: 225.1 ± 216.2 | ||||
| I: 164.1 ± 103.8 | ||||
| Lactating | O: 58.23 ± 21.4 | 3.79 | 5 | 0.1510 |
| M: 426.0 ± 258.2 | ||||
| I: 80.50 ± 13.99 | ||||
|
Area Ratio of Structural Fibers (%) | ||||
| Adult female | O: 0.26 ± 0.00a | 180.5 | 5 | 0.0007 |
| M: 0.07 ± 0.00bc | ||||
| I: 0.17 ± 0.01bd | ||||
| Pregnant | O: 0.29 ± 0.04 | 6.39 | 5 | 0.0828 |
| M: 0.10 ± 0.09 | ||||
| I: 0.10 ± 0.02 | ||||
| Lactating | O: 0.31 ± 0.02a | 17.47 | 5 | 0.0222 |
| M: 0.04 ± 0.01b | ||||
| I: 0.13 ± 0.07 | ||||
Note: Cellular measurement across the blubber layers followed by the same letter was not significantly different at p = 0.05. O*= outer, M*= middle, I*= inner.