Quantitative Study of Influence of Estrogenic Substances on Serum Lipids of Rats Fed Atherogenic Diet.

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Abstract
The effects on serum cholesterol, phospholipids and cholesterol-phospholipid ratio (C/P) were determined in rats force-fed a diet high in fat and low in protein during the first six weeks of administration of varying types and amounts of estrogens and chemically related compounds. Varying amounts of estradiol, all sufficient to produce testicular atrophy, caused widely differing changes in serum lipids, with smaller amounts causing greatly elevated cholesterols and C/P ratios. Diphasic changes in both serum cholesterol and phospholipids were observed with diet alone and these changes were exaggerated by administration of estrogens. Peak values for serum lipids were obtained at the end of the third week of the experimental diet. No substance used could be demonstrated to influence serum lipids without causing atrophy of testes, prostate and seminal vesicles. This experimental plan may be useful for studying simultaneous effects of other steroids on serum lipids and on the reproductive organs of mammals.