Ref: 149/85

TITLE:The Effect of daily egg-yolk consumption on the on the serum

lipid profile of rabbits
MAIN TOPIC (4)
AUTHORS NAMES: Marshall A. Azeke PhD (Bonn) and Mary U. Eigbobo
(MSc)

INTRODUCTION

AFFILIATIONS: Department of Bochemistry, Ambrose Alli University,

Several ecological and epidemiological studies have proved that elevated plasma levels of total
Ekpoma, Nigeria
and, in particular, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol are associated with an increased risk of
coronary and, in general, cardiovascular events.

OBJECTIVES
To induce Hypercholesterolemia using graded levels Egg-yolk administration in rabbit models.

METHODS / DESIGN
Table 1: Diets of Experimental
A
B
C
Groups

Egg yolk

Growers
mash
Percentage

10

20

100

95

90

80

5%

10%

20%

RESULTS

Table 2: Feed intake per day (g)

Groups
Feed intake
Control
76.53 2.16a
5% egg yolk
77.50 2.36a
10% egg
74.50 1.45a
yolk
20% egg
66.68 1.59b
yolk

Table 3: Weight gain of rabbits

Treatment
Body
group
basal
1.10
Control
0.03a
5% egg
1.23
yolk
0.03a
10% egg
1.23
yolk
0.01a
20% egg
1.26
yolk
0.02a

Weight
final
1.31
0.02b
1.49
0.02b
1.59
0.02b
1.62
0.03b

Difference
kg (%)
0.21
(19%)
0.26
(21%)
0.36
(29%)
0.36
(28.5%)

Fig. 1: Total Cholesterol

Table 4: Equivalent no of eggs for adult

Rabbit (1.24
kg)
Adult man (70
kg)
~ no of eggs
daily

5g

10 g

20 g

282.25
g

564.0 g

1129 g

14 - 18

28 - 36

56 - 72

CONCLUSIONS
5 % Egg Yolk did not result in increase in Serum Cholesterol
10 and 20 % egg yolk resulted in significant increase in Total Cholesterol in rabbits
Hypercholesterolemia may not be a problem at the present level of egg consumtion
This could have positive implication for cholesterol induced hypertension