High plasma cholesterol in mink (Mustela vison) without atherosclerosis.

Mink fed a commercial ration moderately high in cholesterol or fed a cholesterol-free semipurified diet have plasma cholesterol-free semipurified diet have plasma cholesterol concentrations similar to that found in human beings living in industrialized countries. In contrast with human beings, 80% of the plasma cholesterol in mink is carried in the high density lipoprotein fraction. Aortas and coronary arteries from animals up to 8 yr old were found to be free of fatty streaks and atherosclerotic plaques, both grossly and microscopically.