Abstract
Summary
1) Using the agar precipitation method and low temperature fractionation for determination of beta-lipoproteins, amounts of beta-lipoproteins, total lipides, phospholipides, and cholesterol in serum of atherosclerosis-susceptible and resistant breeds of pigeons were compared. The agar precipitation method seems a reliable method for estimating levels of beta-lipoprotein cholesterol in serum. 2) No significant differences were seen when male birds of the 2 breeds were compared. Lipoprotein levels of females varied within wide limits, probably due to phospholipemia associated with egg-laying activity. Such activity is accompanied by increased proportion of cholesterol in beta-lipoproteins. At time of egg-laying, total lipides and total phospholipides (but not total cholesterol) are increased in the serum. Thus, such cyclic changes appear to produce a more “favorable” (i.e., lowered) cholesterol/phospholipide ratio. In contrast to cholesterol-fat fed chicks, female pigeons of susceptible breed are not protected against aortic or coronary atherosclerosis.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.