Effect of choline and inositol on plasma and tissue lipids and on spontaneous and stilbestrol-induced atherosclerosis in the chick.

The I)resent study was carried out concurrently with the one reported in the previous paper.' At 5 weeks of age, 72 Hy-Line cockerels were divided into 4 groups (table 1). Biochemical and pathologic procedures use(l were those indicated in the previous l)apei'.' RhSULTS Fceel Intake, Growth and Development. The pairs of groups (7 and 8, 9 and 10) exhibited closely similar feed intakes and weight changes. Compared with the plain mash-fed chicks, the stilbestrol-implanted birds tended to have a greater intake and to attain a greater weight. Thus the chicks of groups 7 and 8 attained a maximum weight of 2200-2300 Gm. at about 22-25 weeks of age, whereas the stilbestrolimplanted birds continued to gain weight, reaching levels as high as 2600-2900 Gm. This phenomenon is attributable to estrogen-induced deposition of fat.'" In both pairs of experimental groups, addition of choline and inositol to the diet had no significant effect on feed intakes or weight changes.