Absence of Atherosclerosis in the Cerebral Arteries of Chickens fed an Atherogenic Diet

Abstract

THERE are innumerable reports of the formation of atherosclerotic plaques in the aorta and coronary vessels of chickens fed atherogenic diets. Little work has been done, however, on the development of atherosclerosis in the cerebral arteries. A recent review of comparative atherosclerosis¹ reported that spontaneous atherosclerosis was not found in the cerebral arteries of chickens, turkeys, rabbits, baboons and pigeons; whereas it was observed in swine and older dogs. Cerebral atherosclerosis did not develop in rabbits fed cholesterol, unless their cerebral circulation was impaired by ligature of either the carotid artery, the jugular vein or both². Investigation of the cerebral vessels of chickens was of interest because of the paucity of information available, especially as related to birds fed atherogenic diets.