Once brown fat is depleted, what process do infants rely on for energy stabilization?

After the depletion of brown fat, infants primarily rely on gluconeogenesis for energy stabilization. Brown fat is a crucial source of heat production and energy in neonates, particularly during the early days of life. Once it is depleted, the body needs to ensure a continuous supply of glucose, which is critical for various metabolic processes and maintaining blood sugar levels.

Gluconeogenesis is the metabolic pathway that generates glucose from non-carbohydrate substrates. In neonates, this process becomes vital as it allows for the conversion of amino acids and other substrates into glucose, thereby sustaining energy levels and supporting the brain and other vital organs that primarily use glucose as their energy source.

The other processes mentioned do play roles in metabolism, but they do not primarily function to provide energy stabilization in the same critical way as gluconeogenesis does once brown fat stores are exhausted. Therefore, relying on gluconeogenesis is essential for ensuring that infants can maintain adequate energy levels in the absence of brown fat.