The most likely cause for serum/plasma to appear 'milky' is the presence of which particles?

The most likely cause for serum/plasma to appear 'milky' is the presence of which particles?

• A. Chylomicrons
• B. VLDL
• C. LDL
• D. HDL

Answer: (A)

Milky serum or plasma is lipemic, meaning there is a high concentration of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins in the blood. Chylomicrons, formed in the intestine to transport dietary triglycerides, are the largest and carry a lot of triglyceride. When they are present in high amounts after a fatty meal, they scatter light and give the plasma a cloudy, milky appearance. VLDL also carries triglycerides but is smaller and usually doesn’t produce the same milky turbidity in a typical sample; LDL and HDL carry less triglyceride and are not responsible for the cloudy look. So, the milky appearance is most commonly due to chylomicrons.

Milky serum or plasma is lipemic, meaning there is a high concentration of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins in the blood. Chylomicrons, formed in the intestine to transport dietary triglycerides, are the largest and carry a lot of triglyceride. When they are present in high amounts after a fatty meal, they scatter light and give the plasma a cloudy, milky appearance. VLDL also carries triglycerides but is smaller and usually doesn’t produce the same milky turbidity in a typical sample; LDL and HDL carry less triglyceride and are not responsible for the cloudy look. So, the milky appearance is most commonly due to chylomicrons.