Distribution of plasma lipids and glucose in two breeds of rabbit

This study was undertaken to determine the frequency distribution of plasma lipid and glucose values in New Zealand White and Dutch-Belted rabbits. The results indicate that the levels of glucose, phospholipid and triglyceride were similar in the two breeds in contrast to cholesterol levels which were higher and more variable in the New Zealand White rabbit. These results are consistent with the higher incidence of spontaneous aortic lesions and more varied response to dietary cholesterol in the New Zealand White rabbit. Identification of rabbits having higher than normal fasting cholesterol levels may be valuable in the design of studies of within strain differences in cholesterol metabolism. The study also provides a useful baseline using current methods for glucose and lipid levels in the two breeds of rabbit.