Stimulation by colostrum or mature milk of gastrointestinal tissue development in newborn pigs

Porcine colostrum and milk were orally administered to newborn pigs to evaluate their gastrointestinal growth-promoting activity. Five piglets per treatment group were gavage-fed 5% lactose (L), defatted colostrum (C) or defatted mature milk (d 16 of lactation) (M) at 3-h intervals over a 24-h period. Colostrum and milk were administered on equivalent dry matter basis and all piglets received 1 mCi of [3H]thymidine per kg BW at the onset of feeding. Small intestines of C- and M-fed pigs were 1.6-and 1.3-fold, respectively, the weight of small intestines of those fed L (P less than .01). Total DNA content of intact small intestines were not different among groups; however, cpm [3H]thymidine/mg intestinal DNA of C and M piglets exceeded (P less than .05) that for L piglets. DNA content and cpm [3H]thymidine of intestinal mucosa did not differ among groups. Total protein in the intestines and intestinal mucosa of C pigs exceeded (P less than .01) that for L and M pigs. Total RNA in the small intestine and intestinal mucosa were similar for C and M groups but less (P less than .01) for L piglets. Stomach and pancreas weights among all pigs were similar, although C and M pigs exceeded L pigs in stomach (P less than .01) and pancreas (P less than .01) RNA content. In contrast, no differences in stomach DNA, protein and cpm [3H]thymidine or in pancreatic DNA, protein and cpm [3H]thymidine were detected. SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was used to identify qualitative and quantitative differences in the protein compositions of porcine colostrum and mature milk.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)