Pancreatic enzyme supplementation in normal and exocrine pancreatic insufficient pigs

The effect of pancreatic enzyme preparation (Combizyme Forte granulate) on the growth rate of normal, sham-operated and pancreatic duct ligated growing pigs was studied in 2 trials. In the first trial 6 normal Yorkshire pigs were fed a pancreatic enzyme supplement and 6 other pigs from the same litter were fed without supplementation. The growth rate over a period of 4 weeks was not significantly greater in the supplemented group. In a second trial exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, without diabetic symptoms, was produced in 12 pigs (aged 1.5 months and weighing 14 kgs) by ligation of the main pancreatic duct. The growth rates over a period of 20 days after surgery were 240 g, 454 g and 483 g/day in ligated pigs, in ligated pigs supplemented with pancreatic enzyme and in sham-operated control pigs, respectively. The difference between the ligated groups was significant (p less than 0.01) indicating the efficiency of the pancreatic enzyme therapy.