Influence of feeding regimen and postnatal developmental stages on antibacterial activity of pancreatic juice

Antibacterial activity of pancreatic juice in the pig (n = 8) was investigated during early postnatal development and in cattle (n = 6) receiving a different feeding regimen. For pancreatic juice collection, a catheter was surgically implanted in the pancreatic duct. Reintroduction of pancreatic juice was achieved through a T-shaped cannula in the duodenum. Pancreatic juice was collected for 30 min in all cases. In piglets, collections were carried out at 2, 5-6, and 7-10 wk of age, and in cattle, after a standard meal, 48 h starvation, and following 24 h intraduodenal glucose infusion. Antibacterial activity was tested on Micrococcus Pyogenes strain ATTC 6538P by disc agar diffusion technique using nonactivated pancreatic juice, before and after heat treatment for 15 min at 65 and 100 degrees C, respectively. Piglets showed a significant rise in antibacterial activity of pancreatic juice after weaning. In cattle, 48 h of starvation resulted in a marked suppression of antibacterial activity. This activity was found to be normal after a standard meal and comparable to that after 24-h intraduodenal glucose infusion. Heating of pancreatic juice to 65 degrees C caused a 35% increase in the antibacterial potency, whereas heating to 100 degrees C completely abolished it. Additionally, dilution of pancreatic juice to 1:10 did not affect antibacterial potency.