Small intestinal morphology and activity of intestinal peptidases in piglets around weaning

The effect of weaning on small intestinal morphology and the activities of three intestinal peptidases was investigated from 3 days prior to weaning to 9 days post-weaning in 64 piglets. Villous height, crypt depth and mitotic counts were determined at three positions along the small intestine. The activities of aminopeptidase N, dipeptidylpeptidase IV and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase were measured at five positions along the small intestine. The villous height was maximal on the day of weaning. Post-weaning, the villi shortened at the proximal positions of the small intestine and the minimal length was observed on day 3 after weaning. Villous height did not decrease distally in the small intestine. Increased crypt depth was observed from 3-7 days post-weaning at all positions examined. Mitotic counts showed increased proliferative activity in the crypts from the third day post-weaning. Weaning influenced the activity of aminopeptidase N and dipeptidylpeptidase IV. The activities declined until day 3 post-weaning. After that, the activities increased and they had reached pre-weaning values by day 9 post-weaning. Weaning had only minor effect on the activity of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase. In summary, weaning induced changes in small intestinal morphology and enzyme activity. The changes were maximal on day 3 post-weaning and during the following days, a gradual recovery of the small intestine was observed.