Maternal expression of functional lipoprotein lipase and effects on body fat mass and body condition scores of mature cats with lipoprotein lipase deficiency

Objective-To assess effects of deficiency of lipoprotein lipase (LPL) on bo dy condition scores and lean and fat body masses of adult cats. Animals-12 cats without LPL mutations and 23 cats that were heterozygous or homozygous carriers of the Gly412Arg LPL mutation. Procedure-Lean and fat body masses were estimated by use of body condition scores and change in enrichment of serum after IV administration of deuteri um oxide. Mass spectroscopy and infrared absorbance methods were used to de termine deuterium enrichment. Results-Fat body mass (mean +/- SD; 0.2 +/- 0.1 kg) and percentage body fat (6.2 +/- 1.4%) of homozygotes were significantly less than those of clinic ally normal cats and heterozygotes (0.7 +/- 0.1 kg, 18.2 +/- 1.6% and 0.5 /- 0.1 kg, 15.6 +/- 1.7%, respectively). Homozygous offspring of homozygous dams had significantly less fat body mass (0.1 +/- 0.1 kg) and percentage body fat (2.1 +/- 1.0%) than homozygous off spring of heterozygous dams (0. 3 +/- 0.1 kg and 9.2 +/- 1.7%, respectively). Lean body mass did not differ significantly among groups. For all groups, percent age body fat was signi ficantly correlated with body condition score (r = 0.65), and body conditio n scores supported findings for fat body mass. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-Deficiency of LPL activity in cats dimin ishes stores of body fat. This is consistent with a low rate of de novo syn thesis of fat. The effect of dam on body masses in mature LIL-deficient cat s indicates nutrient programming of adipose formation during gestation or l actation.