5α‐cholestan‐3β‐ol: High concentration in testis of white carneau pigeon

Abstract
5α‐Cholestan‐3β‐ol (cholestanol) was isolated from the testes of White Carneau pigeons in the highest concentration thus far reported in any animal tissue. It contributed 26% to 28% of the total sterols (384±29.4 μg cholestanol per gram of wet tissue) in testis, and about 27% of it was esterified. The identity of this stanol was confirmed by AgNO3 thin layer chromatography, gas liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. Ovaries, liver, plasma and other tissues of this pigeon contained this stanol only to the extent of 2% to 10% of total sterols.