Lipoproteins during the estrous cycle in swine

The purpose of this study was to examine lipoprotein values at high versus low 17beta-estradiol (E2) concentrations in Yucatan miniature swine. Estrous cycles were measured by heat checking the female on a daily basis using a boar. All swine were fed a 1,050-g low-fat, standard chow diet (8% kcal from fat) once per day. Fasted (24 hours) blood samples were collected during low (early luteal, day 5) and high (late follicular, day 18) E2 concentrations to determine differences in concentrations of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and subfractions. Concentrations of E2 differed significantly from day 5 (3.5 +/- 0.7 pg/mL) to day 18 (14.2 +/- 1.8 pg/mL) of the estrous cycle. Except for HDL(3)-C, all lipoprotein parameters examined were significantly elevated during high E2 versus low E2. TC/HDL-C and LDL-C/HDL-C ratios were significantly lower during the high E2 phase. These results suggest that lipoprotein concentrations fluctuate during the estrous cycle of swine, with high E2 concentrations associated with elevated lipoprotein concentrations.