SPERMINE-INDUCED PRECOCIOUS INTESTINAL MATURATION IN SUCKLING RATS - POSSIBLE INVOLVEMENT OF GLUCOCORTICOIDS

The mechanism(s) involved in the spermine-induced precocious postnatal maturation of the intestine in the unweaned rat was examined. Spermin e given orally to 11-day-old rats stimulated ACTH and corticosterone s ecretion. Maximum serum levels of ACTH and corticosterone were observe d between 4 and 6 h after spermine ingestion and were five- and sevenf old greater respectively than those of control rats receiving saline a lone. Intraperitoneal injection of the polyamine had no effect on cort icosterone production. Repeated intraperitoneal administration of gast rin, cholecystokinin, glucagon(1-37) and secretin to 11-day-old rats h ad no effect on the specific activity of intestinal disaccharidases. T hese data indicate that (1) the hypophysial-adrenal axis is implicated in the postnatal development of the gastrointestinal tract induced by spermine and (2) spermine affects ACTH and corticosterone secretion i ndirectly, probably by stimulating the release of gastrointestinal hor mone(s).