Pancreatic Enzyme Activities of Pigs Up to Three Weeks of Age

Abstract

A total of 72 pigs weaned from the sow at birth or at 2 to 3 days of age was used to study pancreatic enzyme development and the effect of dietary protein source on the activities of chymotrypsinogen, trypsin, amylase and lipase. Pancreas weight increased approximately six-fold from birth to 23 days of age. Chymotrypsinogen activity per gram of pancreas declined slightly from birth to 23 days, but total activity per pancreas increased about three-fold. In contrast, trypsinogen activity per gram of pancreas increased three-fold and total activity increased 20-fold during the same period. Amylase activity per gram of pancreas increased six-fold and total activity 30-fold, while lipase activity per gram declined slightly and total activity increased three-fold from birth to 3 weeks of age. Pancreatic enzyme activity was not significantly different among pigs fed casein, fish protein concentrate or isolated soybean protein (ISP) from 2 to 3 days of age to 23 days of age. It is concluded that the inferior performance of baby pigs fed ISP is not due to insufficiency of pancreatic chymotrypsin, trypsin, amylase or lipase but to some other factor or factors. Copyright © 1971. American Society of Animal Science. Copyright 1971 by American Society of Animal Science.