The direct influence of the sympathetic nervous system on white adipose tissue was studied by performing a unilateral surgical denervation of the retroperitoneal fat pad in rats, the contralateral pad being used as a control. One week after surgery, the weight of the denervated pad was significantly higher than that of the intact pad. In vivo, glucose utilization was not altered by denervation. The expression of GLUT4 as well as the expression and activity of fatty acid synthase, lipoprotein lipase, and hormone-sensitive triglyceride lipase were similar in the two pads. Lipolysis in response to norepinephrine, determined in vitro, was not modified by denervation although the ratio between alpha 2- and beta-adrenergic receptors was changed. Denervation induced an increase in DNA content without change in the number of mature adipocytes. The expression of A2COL6/pOb24, a marker of the early step of adipocyte differentiation, was significantly enhanced in the denervated pad, suggesting an increased number of preadipocytes. This was confirmed by an increased cell number observed in the denervated fat pad 1 month after surgery. In conclusion, surgical denervation of the white fat pad does not alter the glucose and lipid metabolisms. By contrast, it accelerated adipocyte differentiation and led to the recruitment of new precursors.