Plasma lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations in the golden-mantled ground squirrel (Spermophilus lateralis): a comparison between pre-hibernators and hibernators

Comp Biochem Physiol B. 1992 Jul;102(3):573-8. doi: 10.1016/0305-0491(92)90049-w.

Abstract

1. The concentrations of total cholesterol (free cholesterol plus cholesteryl ester) in the plasma and in two lipoprotein fractions of golden-mantled ground squirrels (Spermophilus lateralis) were measured during pre-hibernation and compared to those values measured during hibernation. 2. Hibernating ground squirrels had significantly higher (P less than 0.005) very low density lipoprotein plus low density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL + LDL-C) concentrations than did pre-hibernating ground squirrels. 3. Hibernating squirrels additionally exhibited significantly higher (P less than 0.005) total plasma cholesterol concentration per high density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration (TPC/HDL-C) ratios than did pre-hibernating squirrels. 4. The significant differences in the lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations observed in this study suggest that lipoprotein metabolism in pre-hibernators was significantly different from that in hibernators and was a reflection of the marked biochemical and physiological adjustments these animals must undergo during their transition from pre-hibernation to hibernation.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cholesterol / blood*
  • Cholesterol, HDL / blood
  • Cholesterol, LDL / blood
  • Cholesterol, VLDL / blood
  • Female
  • Hibernation / physiology*
  • Lipoproteins / blood*
  • Male
  • Receptors, LDL / metabolism
  • Sciuridae / blood*

Substances

  • Cholesterol, HDL
  • Cholesterol, LDL
  • Cholesterol, VLDL
  • Lipoproteins
  • Receptors, LDL
  • lipoprotein cholesterol
  • Cholesterol