DIET INFLUENCES DEVELOPMENT OF THE PIG (SUS SCROFA) INTESTINE DURING THE FIRST 6 HOURS AFTER BIRTH

Structural and functional responses of the intestine to colostrum, mil k replacer, oral electrolyte solution and food deprivation were examin ed during the first 6 h after birth in pigs. Total intestinal weight, surface area and mucosal mass were highest (P < 0.05) in pigs fed colo strum, The other diet groups did not differ, except that food-deprived pigs had lower surface area than the other groups. Feeding colostrum was associated with higher mucosal protein content (P < 0.05). Total i ntestinal brush border membrane protein content of pigs fed milk repla cer, oral electrolyte solution and food-deprived pigs were 61, 44 and 56%, respectively, of those fed colostrum (P < 0.05), Rigs fed colostr um had higher total mucosal maltase activities than those that were fo od deprived, and total brush border membrane activities were higher th an in those fed oral electrolyte solution. Total intestinal brush bord er membrane aminooligopeptidase activity was higher in pigs fed colost rum than in those given oral electrolyte solution or deprived of food, but total intestinal homogenate activities did not differ among group s. Diet influenced lactase activity only in the mid-region, and sucras e was not responsive to diet. Intestinal glucose transport capacity by intact intestinal tissues did not differ among diet groups. The abili ty of brush border membrane vesicles to actively accumulate glucose wa s lost when pigs were fed colostrum and milk replacer, but not when fe d oral electrolyte solution or deprived of food. Our findings reveal h ow diet during the first 6 h after birth influences the structure and functional characteristics of the intestine. The responses vary betwee n brush border membrane proteins and intestinal regions, and appear to differ from those described for older animals.