Abstract
A rapid HPLC method for the quantitation of free cholesterol and cholesteryl esters in avian plasma is described. After extraction with isopropanol, free cholesterol and cholesteryl esters were eluted with acetonitrile-isopropanol (50:50, v/v) on a short, 3μ, reversed-phase column within 24 min and detected at 210 nm. The assay was used to evaluate differences in the free cholesterol and cholesteryl esters contents of blood plasma from Japanese quail genetically selected for high and low plasma cholesterol levels. Selection has altered cholesteryl ester distribution in quail, and may provide clues regarding genetic control of cholesterol metabolism.