studies in other gestating species, including humans, in which
increases in plasma TC during late gestation (G42) are observed
compared with early gestation (G14). Considering the
differences in gestation length between dogs and humans, G42
is comparable to the second trimester in humans, in which
Potter and Nestel found an 50% increase in plasma cholesterol
(21). Silliman et al. (22) also reported elevated cholesterol
as well as increased LDL-associated apolipoprotein (apo)
B concentrations during late human pregnancy. In the present
study, increases in both LDL and HDL cholesterol during late
gestation were found. Although increased LDL is similar to
that observed during human pregnancy, the HDL increase
reflects the fact that this fraction is the primary carrier of
cholesterol in dogs.