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The activity of lecithin: Cholesterol acyltransferase in the serum of cows at parturition or with fatty liver

  • Biochemistry
  • Published:
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Abstract

The activity of lecithin: cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT), which is responsible for esterification of plasma cholesterol, was evaluated in bovine serum. It was associated with the high-density lipoprotein fraction that contains apolipoprotein A–I, an activator of LCAT. In lactating cows, the activity was around 1000 U (decrease in nmol of free cholesterol per h per ml of serum), slightly higher than in 1-month-old calves. LCAT activity decreased around parturition, at which the time the serum concentrations of cholesteryl esters and free cholesterol were concomitantly decreased. A reduced LCAT activity was also found in cows with fatty livers induced by the administration of ethionine. In the cows with fatty livers, the serum concentration of cholesteryl esters was markedly decreased, whereas that of free cholesterol was only slightly decreased, thereby increasing the free- to esterified-cholesterol ratio. These results suggest that the decrease in LCAT activity may be involved in the reduction in fertility associated with fatty liver because esterification of cholesterol by LCAT is essential for its transport from the liver to peripheral tissues, such as the corpus luteum, and because cholesterol serves as the source of progesterone synthesis in the latter organ.

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Abbreviations

apoA–I:

apolipoprotein A–I

CE:

cholesteryl esters

CM:

chylomicron

FC:

free cholesterol

HDL:

high-density lipoprotein

IDL:

intermediate-density lipoprotein

LCAT:

lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase

LDL:

low-density lipoprotein

VHDL:

very high-density lipoprotein

VLDL:

very low-density lipoprotein

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Veterinary Internal Medicine, Rakuno Gakuen University, 609, Ebetsu

    E. Uchida & K. Takahashi

  2. Laboratory of Biochemistry, National Institute of Animal Health, 3-1-1 Kannondai, 305, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan

    N. Katoh

Authors
  1. E. Uchida
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  2. N. Katoh
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  3. K. Takahashi
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Uchida, E., Katoh, N. & Takahashi, K. The activity of lecithin: Cholesterol acyltransferase in the serum of cows at parturition or with fatty liver. Vet Res Commun 19, 343–351 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01839316

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01839316

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