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Development of lipase in nursing piglets
1Department of Animal Nutrition, Taiwan Livestock Research Institute, Council of Agriculture, Tainan, ROC.
Proceedings of the National Science Council, Republic of China. Part B, Life Sciences
|March 20, 2001
Summary
This study tracked gastric and pancreatic lipase development in piglets. Both lipase activities increased with age, with pancreatic lipase showing higher overall activity by day 28.
Area of Science:
- Animal Physiology
- Digestive Biochemistry
Background:
- Lipases are crucial digestive enzymes.
- Understanding lipase development in young mammals is vital for nutrition and health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the developmental patterns of gastric lipase and pancreatic lipase in nursing piglets.
- To correlate lipase activity with growth parameters during the nursing period.
Main Methods:
- Lipase activity (specific and total) was measured in piglets at 1, 7, 14, 21, and 28 days of age.
- Gastric mucosa and pancreas weights were recorded alongside body weight.
- Enzyme assays were performed to quantify lipase activity.
Main Results:
- Gastric mucosa weight, pancreas weight, body weight, and both specific and total lipase activities increased with age.
- Gastric lipase specific activity showed a slower development before 3 weeks, but total activity increased significantly by day 28.
- Pancreatic lipase activity remained low in the first two weeks, then rapidly increased from days 21 to 28.
- Overall, gastric lipase activity was lower than pancreatic lipase activity.
Conclusions:
- Both gastric and pancreatic lipase activities undergo significant development during the nursing period in piglets.
- Pancreatic lipase plays a more dominant role in lipid digestion in piglets by the end of the nursing period.
- These findings provide insights into the maturation of the digestive system in young swine.