Effect of Escherichia coli O78 endotoxin on plasma lipids in the domestic fowl.

The injection of fasting nine- to 10-week-old chickens with endotoxin from a pathogenic avian strain of Escherichia coli (1 mg/kg iv) reduced the triglyceride, cholesterol and phospholipid content of the plasma 2 to 5 h afterwards. This effect was similar to that of an E coli infection and opposite to that produced in mammals. There was a transient rise in the cholesterol level within the first hour.