Ms. Jensen et al., EXOCRINE PANCREATIC-SECRETION IN YOUNG-PIGS FED BARLEY-BASED DIETS SUPPLEMENTED WITH BETA-GLUCANASE, Journal of animal physiology and animal nutrition, 75(4-5), 1996, pp. 231-241
This study was undertaken to elucidate whether dietary supplementation
with beta-glucanase affects exocrine pancreatic secretion in young pi
gs fed barley-based diets. Four 6-week-old male pigs (average BW 10.4
+/- 1.1 kg) were surgically fitted with a catheter in the pancreatic d
uct for continuous collection of pancreatic juice. The experimental di
et used was based on hulled barley (75.8 %), soybean meal (15 %) and f
ish meal (4 %). The diet was selectively supplemented with beta-glucan
ase (0.25 g/kg diet). The pigs were fed 120 g per meal, three times a
day, at 0800, 1500 and 2200 h. Three 24-h collections of pancreatic ju
ice were made, and pancreatic secretions in three postprandial periods
, as well as over 24 h, were evaluated. The pattern of secretion with
respect to volume and enzyme content remained unchanged irrespective o
f dietary beta-glucanase supplementation. Pancreatic juice was secrete
d in a biphasic pattern, whereas only a single peak of enzyme activity
was observed after feeding. The total volume of pancreatic juice secr
eted was not changed (p > 0.05) by dietary supplementation with beta-g
lucanase. The output of protein in pancreatic juice during 24 h was lo
wer (p < 0.05) in the beta-glucanase supplemented group, whereas total
trypsin activity over 24 h remained unchanged. The total activity of
chymotrypsin over 24 h was higher (p < 0.05) in the group receiving th
e beta-glucanase supplemented diet, being significant (p < 0.05) after
the morning and afternoon meals. In conclusion, the increased secreti
on of chymotrypsin may indicate that more protein was made available f
or digestion in the small intestine due to degradation of beta-glucans
by beta-glucanase.