[The lipoprotein status of fetal minipigs].

VLDL, LDL and HDL of fetal minipigs were isolated by preparative ultracentrifugation from serum at term. Concentration and lipid composition were evaluated in the fractions and compared with the corresponding data obtained in the adult animal. The concentration of VLDL lipids in fetal serum amounts to 50% (p less than 0.05), that of HDL lipids to 63% (p less than 0.01), and that of LDL lipids to 75% (n. s.) of the values seen in adult minipigs. With the exception of the increased cholesterol content of fetal VLDL there were no significant differences in the composition of the density classes between fetuses and the adult animals. Our results demonstrate a general difference between the lipoprotein pattern in the fetal state of minipigs and of human beings brought about, in particular, by the pronounced disparity of the materno-fetal gradient of VLDL, LDL, and HDL.