Lipid accumulation in muscular foci in white carneau and show racer pigeon aortas

Lipids were analyzed in straight portions of upper thoracic aortas and in muscular foci from celiac bifurcations of atherosclerosis-susceptible White Carneau and atherosclerosis-resistant Show Racer pigeons. Amounts of lipid in the upper thoracic aortas of both breeds were similar, and in each case the celiac cushion was found to contain significantly more lipid than the upper thoracic aorta. However, preatherosclerotic White Carneau pigeons had significantly more lipid in the celiac cushions than did Show Racer pigeons of the same age. Cells cultured from straight portions of the upper thoracic aorta of embryonic White Carneau pigeons contained significantly more lipid than those cultured from similar segments of Show Racer aortas. These results suggest that inherent factors in White Carneau aorta cells are responsible for lipid accumulation under conditions of physiological stress.