Fibroblast-like cells from subcutaneous adipose tissue and epididymal adipose tissue were prepared from rats and their proliferation and [14C]deoxy-glucose uptake and triglyceride synthesis from [14C]palmitate were investigated. The proliferation of fibroblast-like cells from subcutaneous adipose tissue was greater than that from epididymal adipose tissue. Insulin enhanced the proliferation of fibroblast-like cells derived from subcutaneous adipose tissue, but not from epididymal adipose tissue. The uptake of [14C]deoxy-glucose by fibroblast-like cells from the two sources was similar. Triglyceride synthesis from [14C]palmitate by epididymal fibroblast-like cells was higher than that by subcutaneous fibroblast-like cells. The [14C]deoxy-glucose uptake and triglyceride synthesis from [14C]palmitate by fibroblast-like cells from the two sources were not enhanced by the addition of insulin. These findings suggest the existence of different types of adipocytes in subcutaneous and epididymal adipose tissues in terms of proliferation, and show that the proliferation of fibroblast-like cells from subcutaneous adipose tissue is regulated by insulin. The triglyceride synthesis by immature adipocytes from both adipose tissues was not affected by insulin.