Plasma cholesterol ester formation in the neonatal lamb.

Investigations have been made into the activity of the lecithin-cholesterol-acyltransferase (LCAT) enzyme in the formation of the cholesteryl esters in the plasma of the newborn lamb. Although LCAT activity is present in the plasma immediately after birth, within 24 h a large increase in the activity of the LCAT system occurs. This increase in LCAT activity during the first 24 h after birth is associated with increased concentrations of lipid substrates in the plasma. However, evidence is provided to show that severe inhibition occurs in the relative efficiency with which the LCAT mechanism operates in the plasma of the lamb immediately after birth.