Developmental studies on gamma-glutamyl transferase in rat intestinal mucosa

The activity of gamma-GT in rat intestinal mucosa has been studied during normal development. No significant differences in enzymatic activity have been recorded between 21-day-old fetuses, neonates tested at 3, 10, 20 and 30 days and older animals (65 days). Only in the period immediately prior to birth did the liver gamma-GT display activity levels similar to those of intestinal gamma-GT. In neonates and in adult rats, the intestinal gamma-GT activity was much higher as compared to the enzymatic activity in the liver, possibly revealing a species feature in rats. The results of the studies show that the rat is particularly suitable for experimental studies on intestinal gamma-GT in pathological conditions.