Effect of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaric acid on cholesterol metabolism in female Japanese quail

Abstract

The compounds 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaric acid (HMG) and HMG diethylester were administered to laying Coturnix hens to evaluate their potential in reducing yolk cholesterol concentrations. The administration of HMG did not produce consistent differences from controls in tissue levels of either cholesterol or triglycerides. The administration of HMG diethylester appeared to increase the de novo synthesis of cholesterol and the mobilization of cholesterol from liver to serum, as assayed by the uptake and conversion of [1-14C]acetate into 14C-cholesterol. Neither HMG diethylester nor HMG significantly decreased the amount of cholesterol deposited in egg yolk.