AORTIC LESIONS IN NON-LAYING HENS WITH ENDOGENOUS HYPERLIPIDEMIA

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  • 1 January 1980
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 104  (1) , 41-45
Abstract
Atherogenicity of chemically discrete cholesterol has been questioned previously at small doses insufficient to cause hypercholesterolemia. Long-term experiments involving large doses are hindered by the propensity of cholesterol to autoxidize in air. Aortic lesions in mature, 1-3 yr old laying and hereditary nonlaying hens were studied by EM. Due to spontaneous egg yolk involution serum cholesterol values of nonlayers were high, averaging 583 mg/dl, and triglyceride values averaged 1777 mg/dl. Respective values in layers were 106 and 894 mg/dl. Aortic lesions in nonlayers developed earlier and were more extensive and fatty than in layers. Lipids were stainable even in the media of grossly normal segments of aorta in nonlayers. An important role of inhibition of hyperlipidemic components is suggested. It is unknown whether large amounts of endogenous cholesterol in serum undergo autoxidation in vivo.