HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Hartma, P. A. Articles by Catron, D. V. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Hartma, P. A. Articles by Catron, D. V.

Digestive Enzyme Development in the Young Pig¹

Iowa Agricultural and Home Economics Experiment Station, Ames, Iowa

Abstract

A comparative study was made of the levels of certain digestive enzymes in weaned vs. unweaned pigs, from birth through 8 weeks of age.

Proteinase activities of the stomach tissue were low during the first 2 weeks, but later increased rapidly with age in both treatment groups. Proteinase activities of the stomach ingesta of the pigs nursing their dams decreased to 3 weeks of age, and then increased to 7 weeks of aee. On the other hand, the proteinase activities of the stomach ingesta decreased throughout the experimental period in the early weaned pigs.

Pancreatic tributyrinase activities were relatively high in the unweaned animals at birth and gradually increased with age. Early weaning resulted in an initial decrease in tributyrinase levels which were not offset by subsequent increases in enzyme production until the pigs had reached 6 weeks of age. Pancreatic creatic amylase activities increased similarly with are in both diet groups. Pancreatic proteinase activities also increased with age in both diet groups; however, enzvme concentrations in the tissues of the weaned animals were lower than levels found in unweaned animals.

Changes in the proteinase activities of the ingesta of the small intestine were similar in both treatment groups. In general, there was an increase in proteinase activity up to 7 weeks of age, with greater activity in the distal two-thirds of the intestine.

Both groups of animals exhibited similar patterns of development in levels of carbohydrases of the small intestine. There were rapid decreases in lactase levels up to 3 weeks of age, after which rather constant levels were found during the remainder of the experimental period. Following the first week of age, maltase activities increased gradually up to 7 weeks of age. Sucrase activities increased from birth through 7 weeks of age.

The results of the enzyme assays and pH measurements made on contents of the digestive tract were discussed in the light of previous studies made on young monogastic animals and present knowledge relative to the nutrition of the neonatal pig. Data on feed utilization and the wet weights of the pituitary and thyroid glands are included.

¹ Journal Paper No. J-3885 of the Iowa Agricultural and Home Economics Experiment Station, Ames, Iowa. Project No. 1305.

² Department of Bacteriology.

³ Present address: Rath Packing Co., Waterloo, Iowa.

⁴ Present address: International Milling Co., New Ulm, Minnesota.

⁵ Present address: Walnut Grove Products Co., Inc., Atlantic, Iowa.

⁶ The authors greatly appreciate the technical assistance of Mrs. Mardis McKenzie and Mrs. Marie Wesack in performing the enzyme analyses and organization of the data. Acknowledgement is extended to J. W. Gage, J. R. Foster, D. L. Frape and V. C. Speer for their assistance in collecting the samples.