EXOCRINE PANCREATIC-SECRETION IN SUCKLING GOATS - ADAPTATIVE EFFECTS OF MATERNAL MILK AND A MILK SUBSTITUTE

Suckling goats were fed ad libitum during the first month of their lif e by goat milk or by a milk replacer These diets differed in the amoun t of fat and the type of protein. The composition of the exocrine panc reatic secretion in the basal period and in response to food were comp ared in both conditions. Pancreatic juice was collected one hour befor e meal intake up to the 8th postprandial hour. Pancreatic flow rate, b icarbonate and chloride levels, total protein and enzyme activities we re measured. In resting conditions and in response to food, the lipase activity was found to be significantly lower in the group fed with mi lk replacer which was poorer in fat. These results indicate an adaptat ion of the enzyme output to the available quantity of its substrate, s imilar to that described in the rat. Postprandial differences in the p ancreatic flow rate, electrolytes and total protein were found between both groups. Their origin can be attributed to the protein used (soya bean) in the milk substitute. Such soya protein alters the normal clot formation in the abomasum and allows an accelerated abomasal digesta outflow and duodenal pH alkalinisation.