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Inherited Predisposition of Dogs to Diet-Induced Hypercholesterolemia¹

School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 382 West Street Road, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania 19348

Thirty-six racing huskies were fed a diet containing 26% protein, 9% fat and 54% carbohydrate (dry matter basis, diet A) for 5 months then changed to a diet containing 68% protein, 18% fat and no carbohydrate (diet B). Free and total cholesterol concentrations were 49 ± 9 and 146 ± 26 mg/dl (mean ± SD) in dogs fed diet A, then 65 ± 14 and 222 ± 45 mg/dl after introduction of diet B. Frequency distribution of data from all dogs was slightly skewed when diet A was fed. It was almost symmetrical in 29 dogs (group I) fed diet B, while the other seven dogs (group II) had serum total cholesterol concentrations 2 to 4 standard deviations above the mean for group I. Serum total cholesterol concentrations in groups I and II, respectively 141 ± 31 and 156 ± 24 mg/dl (mean ± SE), were not significantly different when diet A was fed. The respective concentrations, 204 ± 21 and 296 ± 18 mg/dl, were highly significantly different (P < 0.001) when diet B was fed. Another study of 17 dogs identified another four hyper-responsive dogs and showed that serum concentrations of triglyceride and cholesterol were not correlated. Three other hyper-responsive dogs were identified in a study reported previously. The lineage of 12 of the 14 hyper-responsive dogs stems from two bitches. The pattern of inheritance is consistent with operation of a single autosomal dominant gene.

KEY WORDS: • serum cholesterol • genetic/nutritional interaction • dog

¹ Supported in part by Allen Products Company, Allentown, Pennsylvania 18001.

² Dr. Kronfeld is Professor of Nutrition and Chief, Section of Nutrition, and Ms. Johnson is Research Assistant in the Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania 19348.

³ Mr. Dunlap is Proprietor of Zero Kennel, Bakers Mills, New York 12811. The dogs used in these studies are owned and trained by Mr. Dunlap. Their average value is about $1,000, and this constrained the experimental design.

Manuscript received 17 July 1978.