Sg. Pierzynowski et al., INDUCTION OF EXOCRINE PANCREAS MATURATION AT WEANING IN YOUNG DEVELOPING PIGS, Journal of pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition, 16(3), 1993, pp. 287-293
The influence of weaning, at either 4 or 6 weeks of age, on the matura
tion of the exocrine pancreas was studied in naturally reared Swedish
Landrace pigs that had no access to solid food. The pigs were surgical
ly fitted with chronic catheters at 3 weeks of age, permitting periodi
c sampling of pancreatic juice and blood in conscious animals less-tha
n-or-equal-to 4 weeks after weaning. During the suckling period, pancr
eatic fluid and enzyme secretion remained low, both before (preprandia
l) and after (post-prandial) milk ingestion. After weaning at 4 or 6 w
eeks of age, juice secretion, output of total protein, and levels of d
ifferent hydrolases (amylase, trypsin, lipase, and carboxylester lipas
e) and the cofactor colipase all increased markedly postprandially. Mo
reover, after weaning, the plasma insulin level increased postprandial
ly. This did not happen before weaning, although blood glucose levels
always rose after feeding. The data showed a relationship between the
time of weaning and the induction of exocrine pancreatic maturation in
pigs. This finding implies that postnatal development of pancreatic f
unction is triggered by the dietary change from sow milk to dry solid
food. In contrast, the age of the pig appears to be of minor importanc
e, since weaning at either 4 or 6 weeks of age gave a similar result.