Development of exocrine pancreas function in chronically cannulated pigs during 1-13 weeks of postnatal life

The development of exocrine pancreas function was studied in Swedish Landrace pigs surgically fitted with a chronic pancreatic duct catheter and a duodenal re-entrant cannula. The juice secretion and output of total protein and trypsin activity were followed before (basal secretion) and after feeding (postprandial secretion) during the first 1-13 weeks of life. The results showed that throughout the suckling period, up to 4-5 weeks of age, the basal pancreas function remained low and the secretory response to feeding, i.e., nursing sow milk, was also low. After weaning, the pancreatic juice secretion as well as the output of protein and trypsin activity markedly increased with respect to both basal and postprandial levels. Furthermore, the enzyme composition of the pancreatic juice changed qualitatively during this period. During the first 2 weeks of life, the intravenous administration of cholecystokinin (CCK) and secretin did not stimulate exocrine function, but a significant effect was achieved from 3-4 weeks of age. These results showed that there was both an increase in exocrine pancreas function and a qualitative change in the hydrolytic enzyme pattern during porcine postnatal ontogeny, apparently correlated with the changes in diet around weaning. An increase in the response of the pancreas to hormonal stimulation was also observed during the suckling period.