title: Variation in egg yolk cholesterol concentration between and within breeds of the domestic fowl.
abstract: 1. The pattern of variation for egg yolk cholesterol concentration between 5 commercial egg layer lines and a cross of Gallus domesticus is described. 2. Yolk cholesterol concentration in the cross was lower than in the lines, and 6.7% lower than the midparent value. 3. It is proposed that the reduced yolk cholesterol concentration of the cross may be a consequence of heterosis, although sex-linkage and/or maternal effects cannot be discounted. 4. The difference between the cross and parental lines is consistent with a physiological relationship between yolk cholesterol concentration and rate of egg production, but not between yolk cholesterol concentration and yolk weight.
authors.affiliation: AFRC Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics Research, Edinburgh Research Station, Roslin, Midlothian, UK.
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Hall
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: McKay
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002645:Chickens / Q000378:metabolism*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000032:analysis*; D004530:Egg Yolk / Q000737:chemistry*; D016013:Likelihood Functions; D013045:Species Specificity
chemical_list: D002784:Cholesterol