Effect of dietary cholesterol and tallow on cholesterol synthesis in the castrated goat
Thompson, J.R.; Beitz, D.C.; Jacobson, N.L.
Journal of Nutrition 107(9): 1632-1639
1977
ISSN/ISBN: 0022-3166 PMID: 561169 Document Number: 116232
The effect of dietary cholesterol and tallow on the cholesterol content of tissues and on cholesterol biosynthesis in vivo was estimated in castrated male, mature Saanen goats. The control group was fed on a dry concentrate mixture. The lipid-supplemented group was fed on the same diet with cholesterol and tallow at 250 mg and 3 g/kg bodyweight daily for 15 to 18 weeks. Cholesterol content of liver, spleen and small intestine was increased significantly by the dietary cholesterol. Liver, muscle and skin of control goats contained 47, 12 and 20% of total body cholesterol. In goats fed on cholesterol and tallow, liver, muscle and skin contributed 72, 12 and 11%, respectively. Adrenal gland and small intestine were the most active sites for cholesterogenesis (per unit tissue weight), followed in decreasing order by spleen and kidney. Rates in adipose tissue, cerebrum, kidney, skeletal muscle, pancreas, skin and liver were lower. Cholesterogenesis in whole organs of control goats indicated that most of the sterol was contributed by skin (38%), small intestine (27%) and muscle (21%). After feeding on cholesterol + tallow, suppression of cholesterol synthesis occurred in all regions of the small intestine. The cholesterol + tallow reduced cholesterogenesis in the small intestine, spleen and kidney to about 25% of that in corresponding tissues of controls; that in adrenal cortex was reduced to 45% of control. Cholesterol and tallow produced a 3-fold increase in cholesterogenesis in adipose tissue. No significant change occurred in other tissues.