EFFECT OF WEANING ON EPIDERMAL GROWTH-FACTOR AND ITS RECEPTOR MESSENGER-RNA LEVELS IN VARIOUS TISSUES OF PIGLETS

Weights of pancreas, liver, and stomach, and total DNA of pancreas and stomach mucosa per body weight were greater (P < 0.05) in weaned pigl ets than suckling ones at 30 d of age. There was no effect (P > 0.05) of weaning on epidermal growth factor (EGF) and EGF receptor (EGFR) me ssenger RNA levels in liver, stomach, duodenum, and skeletal muscle. M essenger RNAs of EGF in pancreas increased following weaning in piglet s of 27 (P = 0.0001) and 30 (P = 0.004) d of age, indicating a possibl e involvement of EGF in pancreatic development during this period.