Estimates of heritability for plasma very low density lipoprotein concentration and genetic correlations with lipid content, body volume, and density in Coturnix coturnix japonica.

Genetic parameters associated with very low density lipoprotein concentration (VLDL) in a randombred population of Coturnix were estimated. Associated traits were: body density, volume, and weight of the live bird, and lipid content of the whole carcass. A total of 739 progeny by 50 sires and 126 dams was the basis of the data. The VLDL was highly heritable (.52) and highly correlated with lipid content (greater than .50) but correlated to lesser degrees with body density (.24) and body volume (.20). The genetic correlation estimates between VLDL and body weight were small relative to their standard errors.