Atherosclerosis in familial lines of pigeons fed exogenous cholesterol

• Published in: Atherosclerosis Vol. 21; no. 2; pp. 147 - 154
• Main Authors: Patton, N.M., Brown, R.V., Middleton, C.C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ireland Elsevier Ireland Ltd 01.03.1975
• Subjects: Animals; Aortic Diseases - etiology; Aortic Diseases - genetics; Arteriosclerosis - etiology; Arteriosclerosis - genetics; Atherosclerosis; Breeding; Cholesterol - blood; Cholesterol, Dietary - administration & dosage; Columbidae; Coronary Disease - etiology; Coronary Disease - genetics; Diet, Atherogenic; Female; Genetic lines; Hypercholesterolemia - complications; Hypercholesterolemia - genetics; Male; Pigeons; Serum cholesterol; Time Factors; Genetic lines; Serum cholesterol; Atherosclerosis; Pigeons
• ISSN: 0021-9150; 1879-1484
• DOI: 10.1016/0021-9150(75)90076-3

Exogenous cholesterol was fed to Fl pigeons of high and low serum cholesterol differentiated lines of White Carneau and Racing Homer pigeons that had previously been developed by selection and positive assortive mating. The serum cholesterol response of the various high and low lines was dependent upon the breed and the amount of cholesterol in the diet. Racing Homer pigeons were found to be more resistant to aortic atherosclerosis and more susceptible to coronary atherosclerosis than White Carneau pigeons. Data from necropsy examinations showed significant differences in both aortic and coronary atherosclerosis between lines within the White Carneau breed, but no differences between lines of the Racing Homer breed. Mean organ weights for the 4 lines of pigeons were reported.