Postnatal development of biliary and pancreatic exocrine secretion in piglets

1. The secretory responses of bile and exocrine pancreas were studied in various aged piglets. 2. At 3 days old the bile and exocrine pancreas could be reacted by various stimulations. The response by secretin was the same as that in the 28 day old. 3. Protein concentration in pancreatic juice by CCK-8 increased steeply after 6 days old, but the ratio of amylase to protein rose abruptly at 28 days old. 4. These findings indicate that (1) the secretory capacity of bile and pancreatic juice developed predominantly at an early period of postnatal life; (2) the formation of bile acids and pancreatic digestive enzymes developed gradually during the suckling period.