BLOOD LIPIDS DURING PREGNANCY IN GUINEA PIGS

Abstract

The lipid composition of plasma and of the red blood cells was detd. by oxidative micromethpds in 15 pregnant and 10 non-pregnant guinea pigs. Beginning shortly after the mid-point of gestation there was found an increase in plasma total lipid, neutral fat, phospholipid and free cholesterol, these lipids being at term 4, 5, 4 and 4 times the normal values respectively. Plasma ester cholesterol decreased during pregnancy and at term was 50% below normal. There was no significant change in the lipid content of the red blood cells. The results indicated that changes in lipid metabolism during pregnancy in guinea pigs are similar in respect to blood lipids to those in human pregnancy.