STEROL AND BILE-ACID METABOLISM DURING DEVELOPMENT .3. OCCURRENCE OF NEONATAL HYPERCHOLESTEROLEMIA IN GUINEA-PIG AND ITS POSSIBLE RELATION TO BILE-ACID POOL

The relationship of the changes in plasma cholesterol to bile acid pool was studied in the newborn guinea pig. Plasma cholesterol reached the maximum on the fifth day and gradually declined to adult levels. The cholesterol concentration in the high density lipoproteins (HDL) was higher in the newborn guinea pig than in the adult. Plasma triglycerides peaked on the third day and decreased markedly. The bile acid pool increased progressively after birth with a 13-fold increase at 5 days of age. While the hepatic triglycerides decreased sharply in the newborn guinea pig, hepatic cholesterol increased in the first 5 days and then decreased to adult levels. This study has described the occurrence of neonatal hypercholesterolemia" in the guinea pig and its possible relationship to the low level of bile acid synthesis. © 1979."