Development of the pancreas during gestation and lactation in swine

This study examined the development of the pancreas during gestation and lactation in swine. Forty-two mated sows and 42 unmated controls were sacrificed after 30, 70, and 110 days of gestation; 7, 14, and 28 days of lactation; and 11 days after weaning. Their pancreas were excised, weighed, and fragments homogenized for evaluation of protein, amylase, chymotrypsin, RNA, and DNA contents. Data indicate that all these parameters were reduced at the end of the gestation period when compared with controls. During lactation, pancreatic weights, enzyme, protein, and RNA contents showed regular increases. DNA contents were significantly increased after weaning, an indication of pancreatic hyperplasia. A return to control values is not complete 11 days after weaning. These changes in the pancreas can be related to increased food intake during lactation and are probably mediated by the endogenous release of the gastrointestinal hormones cholecystokinin and secretin.