The Effect of Dietary Palm Oil on Atherogenesis in the Rooster

Abstract

Abstract Oruwari, B.M., Ironkwe, M.O., Monsi, A. and Mba, M.A. 1993. The effect of dietary palm oil on atherogenesis in the rooster. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 4: 123–131. Roosters (adult cockerels) were used as a model for atherogenesis by feeding them with palm oil supplemented diets for 8 weeks and measuring the plasma cholesterol levels, absolute and the adjusted weights of heart, spleen and liver. Dietary palm oil replaced corn in the basal corn-soyabean diet on weight basis. Feed consumption, weekly body weight gain and body weights were other measurements. Results demonstrated that dietary palm oil linearly (P<0.01) increased plasma cholesterol and may be considered atherogenic. Dietary palm oil linearly (P<0.01) increased the adjusted heart weight but not absolute weights of the heart, spleen, liver or the adjusted weights of spleen and liver of the roosters.