Rabbit serum esterase genotyping and relationship to serum cholesterol response and basal serum HDL cholesterol level

Abstract

Previous studies have indicated that esterases might be involved in the serum cholesterol response in rabbits. The question addressed in this study is whether in rabbits esterase loci of Linkage Group VI (LG VI) are genetically linked with
the serum cholesterol response to dietary cholesterol or the basal serum HDL cholesterol level. For this purpose the Est-2 and Es-1 genotypes of rabbits in segregating populations derived from a cross between IIIVO/JU (hyporespender and
high basal serum HDL cholesterol level) and AX/1U (hypettesponder and low basal serum HDL cholesterol level) rabbits were determined. The segregating populations were fed a cholesterol-rich diet for 35 days. Both the Est-2 and Es—1 alleles failed to cosegregate with the serum cholesterol response, whereas a highly significant cosegregation was found with the basal serum HDL cholesterol level. It is concluded that one or more genes of LG VI are regulating the basal serum
HDL cholesterol level in rabbits.