Serum lipoproteinemia in pregnant and lactating rats

Serum lipoproteins of pregnant and puerperal rats were studied by preparative and analytical ultracentrifugation. The concentration for the fraction with density less than 1.019 was markedly elevated in rats during the 3rd wk of gestation and in lactating rats. This fraction showed similar triglyceride fatty acid composition and immunoelectrophoretic behavior whether it was derived from pregnant or nonpregnant rats, and when partially delipidized, the lipoproteins from both groups showed similar immunoelectrophoretic characteristics and sedimentation rates. When lactation was interrupted during puerperium, serum lipoproteins returned to control levels; but in lactating rats, high levels of serum very low density lipoprotein persisted up to 3 wk post partum.