EXOCRINE PANCREATIC-SECRETION IN YOUNG-PIGS FED BARLEY-BASED DIETS SUPPLEMENTED WITH BETA-GLUCANASE

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.