Journal of Animal Science, Vol 71, Issue 5 1100-1103, Copyright © 1993 by American Society of Animal Science

JOURNAL ARTICLE

Milk cholesterol concentration in sows selected for three generations for high or low serum cholesterol

M. M. Kandeh, Y. W. Park, W. G. Pond and L. D. Young
Cooperative Agricultural Research Center, Prairie View A&M University, TX 77446.

Female crossbred swine (Chester White x Landrace x Large White x Yorkshire) selected for three generations for low (L, n = 24) or high (H, n = 26) serum cholesterol at 8 wk of age were milked at d 20 or 21 of their first lactation to measure cholesterol, fat, lactose, protein, and ash concentrations. A contemporary, unselected control (C) group from the same original population (third lactation, n = 7) was sampled concurrently. All sows were fed a standard gestation, then lactation, diet that contained no cholesterol or added fat (all plant, corn-soybean meal). Genetic selection for low or high serum cholesterol at 8 wk of age induced corresponding changes in milk cholesterol and fat concentration in the third generation of selection, but not in any other milk constituents. Milk cholesterol concentrations (milligrams/100 grams fresh weight) were L, 25.3 +/- 3.0; C, 35.7 +/- 8.0; and H, 41.4 +/- 6.9 (L < C < H, P < .01). Corresponding values for milk fat were 5.7 +/- 1.3, 7.2 +/- .8, and 7.0 +/- .8 mg (L < C = H, P < .01). Serum cholesterol concentrations at 8 wk of age were L, 66.1 +/- 8.1; C, 93.7 +/- 13.7; and H, 126.2 +/- 9.7 mg/dL (P < .01). Milk cholesterol concentration was significantly correlated with serum cholesterol (r = .782, P < .01) and milk fat (r = .36, P < .01). It seems that selecting swine for low or high serum cholesterol at 8 wk of age induced changes in lipid metabolism reflected in differences in milk cholesterol concentrations.