Development of pancreatic hydrolases in inbred mice

Pancreatic content of lipase, amylase, trypsinogen, chymotrypsinogen and protein was studied in suckling and weaned mice at different ages. Protein content in pancreatic tissue was low at 15 days when compared with 30, 45 and 60 days of age. Specific activities of lipase and chymotrypsinogen were higher at 15 days of age, but chymotrypsinogen was not different at the studied ages post weaning. Amylase exhibited the highest value at 15 days and a marked depression at 30 days, and trypsinogen specific activity was not different between the studied groups. The present study demonstrates an age dependent enzyme pattern in mouse pancreas and reflects an active biosynthetic mechanism in suckling mice.