To investigate possible factors that limit fat utilization during exercise, arteriovenous differences of plasma nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) and glycerol were measured across the subcutaneous adipose tissue of the anterior abdominal wall in nine subjects who exercised for 60 min at 50-70% of their maximal O2 consumption. The large gradient of NEFA concentration from adipose tissue venous to arterial plasma increased throughout the exercise period. Maximal plasma NEFA concentrations in adipose venous drainage were reached postexercise (median 3,800 mumol/l), with a median NEFA-to-albumin molar ratio of 5.7. Fractional reesterification of fatty acids within the tissue (assessed from the ratio of NEFA to glycerol release) was 20-30% in the basal state and declined during exercise. After exercise there was apparently negative reesterification, implying release of NEFA retained in adipose tissue during exercise. Although these findings challenge current views on the regulation of NEFA release, they are in agreement with the concept of supply of fatty acids from adipose tissue as the major factor limiting fat oxidation during sustained exercise.