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Early postnatal development of peptide hydrolysis in chicks and guinea pigs
1Institute of Biology, Latvian Academy of Science, U.S.S.R.
Insights
Newly hatched chicks and guinea pigs show peak peptide hydrolysis enzyme activity, which then declines. Enzyme activity levels and distribution change significantly during early development in these species.
Area of Science:
- Digestive Physiology
- Enzymology
- Comparative Animal Studies
Background:
- Peptide hydrolysis is crucial for protein digestion and nutrient absorption.
- Understanding the developmental changes in digestive enzymes is essential for animal nutrition and health.
- Pancreatic carboxypeptidase A (CPA) and glycylleucine dipeptidase (GLDP) are key enzymes in peptide breakdown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the developmental patterns of CPA and GLDP activities in chicks.
- To examine GLDP activity changes in guinea pigs during development.
- To characterize the spatial distribution of GLDP in the small intestine of both species.
Main Methods:
- Enzyme activity assays for CPA and GLDP were performed on tissue samples from chicks (1-45 days old) and guinea pigs (newborn and adult).
- Relative and total enzyme activities were quantified.
- Spatial distribution of GLDP activity along the small intestine was analyzed.
Main Results:
- Both CPA and GLDP relative activities were highest at hatching in chicks, decreasing sharply within the first week.
- Chicks exhibited a proximo-distal gradient of GLDP activity in the small intestine, developing by one month of age.
- In guinea pigs, relative GLDP activity decreased with age, while total activity increased; GLDP distribution was uniform in the small intestine.
Conclusions:
- Peptide hydrolysis enzyme activity undergoes significant developmental changes in early life for both chicks and guinea pigs.
- Species-specific patterns exist in the development and distribution of digestive enzymes like CPA and GLDP.
- These findings highlight the dynamic nature of the developing gastrointestinal system and its impact on nutrient assimilation.
Abstract:
1. To characterize the development of peptide hydrolysis the activities of pancreatic carboxypeptidase A (CPA) and intestinal glycylleucine dipeptidase (GLDP) were registered in 1-45 days old chicks, as well as GLDP activities in newborn and adult guinea pigs. 2. The highest values of CPA and GLDP relative activities were found immediately after hatching, maximal decrease of activities took place during the first week. 3. GLDP activities gradient on the surface of the small intestine of chicks has two maximums: one in the upper jejunum, the other one--in the lower ileum. The development of proximo-distal gradient began at the age of 7 days and finished at the end of the first month. 4. Total CPA and GLDP activities decreased during the first week; up to the 15-20 day they reached the initial level and later exceeded it. 5. Relative GLDP activity in guinea pigs declined with aging, while the total activity increased, as it was demonstrated for chicks. 6. GLDP activity was distributed equally along the surface of the small intestine in newborn guinea pigs as well as in mature animals.