Effects of selection for serum cholesterol concentrations on serum lipid concentrations and body weight in baboons

Abstract

We examined the results of one generation of selection for serum cholesterol (SC) concentration on low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C), and triglyceride concentrations and weight in baboons (Papio cynocephalus). Parents of two lines (high SC response and low SC response) were chosen based on their SC response to a 4‐month challenge with a cholesterol and saturated fat enriched diet. Parents of the control line were chosen without regard for SC levels. Expression of SC, LDL‐C, and HDL‐C concentrations was moderately influenced by additive genetic effects as evidenced by the direct and correlated responses of the serum lipoprotein concentrations of the juvenile offspring of the three lines. Realized heritability of SC and genetic correlations of SC with LDL‐C and HDL‐C were moderate to high. Sex and age were important factors influencing expression of SC, LDL‐C, HDL‐C, trigylcerides, and weight in both adult baboons and their offspring.