CTRP7 is a 289 amino acid secreted glycoprotein that contains one collagen-like domain and one C1q domain. In young obese mice, transcripts of CTRP1, CTRP2, CTRP3, CTRP6 and CTRP7 are found to be upregulated. CTRP7 is predominantly expressed in adipose tissue and may be a paralog of Acrp30 (adiponectin). Caloric restriction in young animals leads to an increase in serum Acrp30, however this is not the case with older animals. During caloric restriction in older animals, transcription of CTRP2 and CTRP7 is significantly induced in senescent skeletal muscle and myocardium. This however is not sufficient to activate AMPK to the same extent as in younger animals, therefore suggesting that CTRP2 and CTRP7 are not suitable substitutions for Acrp30 function.