Serum lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations in pigs fed diets containing fish oil, milkfat, olive oil and coconut oil

Eight-week-old pigs (6 pigs per group) were fed diets containing either fish oil, milkfat, coconut oil, olive oil or cornstarch at an inclusion rate of 4% (w/w) for 3 weeks. Serum total cholesterol concentration was significantly higher in pigs fed coconut oil than in pigs fed cornstarch or fish oil (p < 0.05). Pigs fed coconut oil, olive oil and milkfat had a significantly higher HDL cholesterol concentration than those fed cornstarch or fish oil. There were no significant differences in LDL cholesterol concentrations between groups. The serum triglyceride concentrations were higher in pigs receiving coconut oil and milkfat. This study showed that dietary fats that have a hypercholesterolaemic effect in humans tended to raise HDL cholesterol rather than LDL cholesterol concentrations in pigs. These findings suggest differences in lipoprotein metabolism between humans and pigs and caution is warranted when making inferences about human lipoprotein metabolism from porcine studies. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.