Pancreatic secretion differs according to the genotype of growing pigs.

The objective of this study was to investigate the secretion of pancreatic enzymes and antibacterial activity in weaned pigs of three pure breeds, Pietrain, Duroc and Polish synthetic line 990, to look for eventual differences related to the genotype. Six male pigs of each breed, about 24 kg mean body weight, were equipped with chronic pancreatic duct catheters and duodenal cannulas to assess pure pancreatic juice, and jugular vein catheters for blood withdrawal. Pancreatic juice was collected before and after the morning feeding. Protein output and enzyme activities revealed two distinct profiles: strong manifestation of the prandial phase in Pietrain and line 990 pigs, and weak manifestation in Duroc. The antibacterial activity did not follow the enzyme kinetics, and it was the strongest in pancreatic juice from Pietrain pigs. Postprandial insulinaemia was reduced in the order of: line 990>Pietrain>Duroc. A slight (not significant) tendency towards a reduction of leptin after feeding in synthetic line 990 corresponded with elevated secretion of pancreatic enzymes and plasma insulin. The presented results suggest that the prandial secretion of pancreatic juice differs according to genotype, and the differences may be in part related to release of insulin.

Differential induction of transcription factors and expression of milk protein genes by prolactin and growth hormone in the mammary gland of rabbits.

Previously we demonstrated that administration of lactogenic hormones - prolactin (PRL) and growth hormone (GH) - to pregnant rabbits differentially induces expression of casein and whey proteins in the mammary gland. Now we extend these observations to transcription factors (TFs) that are responsive for differential induction of milk protein genes. Analysis of correlation between the number of putative TF binding sites in 5'-upstream sequences and the levels of induction of milk protein genes allowed preselection of the TFs involved. An electrophoretic mobility shift assay with nuclear proteins derived from rabbit mammary glands showed changes in the patterns of Stat5, MAF, NF1 and Oct1 DNA-protein binding during progression of pregnancy and transition to lactation. Administration of lactogenic hormones - PRL or GH - to early-pregnant rabbits induced DNA-protein complexes similar to those formed by nuclear proteins from the mammary glands of lactating (Stat5, MAF, NF1) or late-pregnant (Oct1) animals. Induction of milk protein genes by PRL was several-fold greater than that by GH. However, PRL and GH similarly induced MAF DNA-protein complexes, thus suggesting that the amount of MAF factor in the mammary gland can be limiting for expression of these genes. Our study for the first time provided the evidence that in the mammary gland both PRL and GH can induce DNA-binding activity of transcription factors other than Stats.

In vivo effect of growth hormone on DNA synthesis and expression of milk protein genes in the rabbit mammary gland.

The aim of this work was to show whether growth hormone (GH) is able to directly induce growth and functional differentiation of the mammary gland. We have shown that i.m. injections of prolactin and to lesser extent injections of growth hormone increased DNA synthesis in the mammary gland of pregnant rabbits. Injections of pituitary and recombinant bovine growth hormone (GH), similarly to prolactin, could also induce the expression of milk protein genes--caseins alpha S1 and beta and whey acidic protein (WAP). However, in contrast to prolactin, growth hormone failed to induce the synthesis of casein proteins. Lactogenic hormones act through binding to receptors in target tissues. Prolactin receptors were shown to be abundant in the rabbit mammary glands but no specific binding sites for 125I-labelled GH have been found in membranes isolated from mammary glands of pregnant or lactating rabbits. The specificity of hormone binding was examined using unlabelled hormones as competitive inhibitors of 125I-labelled prolactin. Bovine and recombinant bovine growth hormone did not displace prolactin from its receptors, thus excluding the possibility of action of GH through lactogenic receptors. Our results support the hypothesis that GH may act directly on the mammary gland and independently from prolactin; however, the mechanism of its action is still unknown.

Effects of different heat treatments during processing on nutrient digestibility of soybean meal in growing swine.

Four soybean meals (SBM) were prepared in a commercial solvent-extraction plant to give a much wider range in heat treatment than is usually found among commercially available SBM. The meals were designated in ascending order of heat treatment as Under, Normal, Over and Rumen Escape. The Normal meal was processed using standard operating conditions. The Under meal received less heat treatment by reducing the steam pressure and retention time in the desolventizer-toaster. Over and Rumen Escape meals received further heat treatment in an additional four-compartment toaster. The Over meal received less heat treatment than the Rumen Escape meal by reducing steam pressure and retention time in both toasters. Crude protein content was similar for the four meals, but lysine tended to decrease with increasing heat treatment. In general, urease activity, trypsin inhibitor, protein dispersibility index and nitrogen solubility index decreased with increasing heat treatment. The +a Hunterlab color values increased as heat treatment increased. Apparent ileal digestibility of N and amino acids were similar for all meals (P greater than .05); however lysine digestibility for the Rumen Escape meal was 3.3 percentage units lower than the average of the lesser-heated meals. Energy digestibilities and nitrogen balance data were also similar (P greater than .05) for the four meals, but the apparent biological value of the Rumen Escape meal was 4.5 percentage units lower than the average of the other meals. There were no differences in nutritional value among the Under, Normal and Over meals, which represent the range in heat treatment usually found among SBM. The Rumen Escape meal, which received more severe heat treatment, tended to have lower nutritional value than the lesser-heated meals.

Nutrient digestibility and performance of pigs fed sorghums varying in tannin concentration.

Four sorghums, ranging widely in tannin content, and yellow corn were evaluated in two 5 x 5 Latin square digestion trials and a growth trial. All grains were grown in the same field under similar conditions. The sorgums and their tannin contents (milligrams of catechin/100 mg of dry matter, as determined by a modified vanillin-HCl method) were: Ga615, 3.40; NK300, 3.17; TAM680, .83, and G766-W, .88. Diets were supplemented with casein to provide .70 and .60% lysine in digestion trials 1 and 2, respectively. In trial 1, conducted with noncannulated, 25-kg pigs, digestibilities of dry matter, gross energy and N averaged for the low tannin sorghums (TAM680 and G766-W) were higher (P greater than .01) than the corresponding digestibilities averaged for the high tannin sorghums (Ga615 and NK300). N balance data indicated that utilization of absorbed N was not reduced in pigs fed the high tannin sorghums. Corn and the low tannin sorghums had similar digestibilities. In trial 2, conducted with 50-kg pigs fitted with T-cannulas at the terminal ileum, digestibilities of dry matter, gross energy, N and all amino acids again averaged higher (P greater than .01) for the low tannin sorghums than for the high tannin sorghums, whether measured at the end of the small intestine or over the total digestive tract. The one exception was methionine digestibilities at the terminal ileum, which did not differ between the high and low tannin sorghums. Among the amino acids, digestibilities of glycine, proline and histidine appeared to be the most depressed in the high tannin sorghums, as compared to the low tannin sorghums. Digestibilities of most nutrients were higher for NK300 than Ga615, suggesting a difference in type of tannin, or other compound, between grains. Corn and the low tannin sorghums, averaged together, had similar digestibilities for most nutrients. In the growth trial, 10 pigs, individually fed form 20 to 94 kg, received grain-soybean meal diets based on each grain except NK300. Gains were not affected by diet, but feed consumption was 9% higher (P greater than.05) and feed efficiency 10% (P greater than .01) poorer for pigs fed Ga615 than for those fed low tannin sorghums. Performance was similar (P greater than .10) for animals fed the low tannin sorghums and those fed corn.

[Nitrogen and amino acid absorption in swine. 3. Endogenous secretion and absorption of nitrogen]. / Untersuchungen zur Stickstoff- und Aminosäurenresorption beim Schwein. 3. Mitteilung. Endogene Ausscheidung und Resorption des Stickstoffs.

The endogenous nitrogen in the duodenum and the distal segment of the small intestine of 3 fistulated pigs fed a 15-N-labelled feed protein was determined using the isotope dilution technique. Over 24 hours, the endogenous N secretion was found at least 12.5 g at the end of the duodenum. For the upper segment of the small intestine, a statistically secured correlation between endogenous nitrogen and chyme amount was found to exist. It was possible to determine the true and apparent absorption of the nitrogen for both individual segments of and the whole digestive tract.

The influence of diets based on whole wheat, wheat flour and wheat bran on exocrine pancreatic secretion in pigs.

Six pigs, initially 40 kg live weight, were prepared with a duodenal pouch for collection of pancreatic juice to assess the influence of the type and amount of dietary fiber on exocrine pancreatic secretion. Four isonitrogenous diets were fed to each pig: W (whole wheat); WBS (whole wheat, wheat bran, wheat starch); WFS (whole wheat, wheat flour, wheat starch); and FC (wheat flour, wood cellulose). Wheat and wheat fractions came from the same batch of wheat. Crude fiber and dietary fiber (nonstarch polysaccharide) contents of diets W, WBS, WFS and FC (g/kg), respectively, were 40.8, 101.8; 63.7, 201.2; 20.5, 50.3; and 39.0, 60.7. Mean volumes of pancreatic juice (mL/24 h) for diets W, WBS, WFS and FC, respectively, were 4108, 4560, 2556 and 1757. Total enzymic and electrolyte concentrations were not significantly affected by diet changes, but mean protein and amylase outputs were lower for diet FC than for the others. It was concluded that the principal effect of increasing the dietary fiber content of the diets was to increase the volume of pancreatic juice and that this may have been due to noncellulosic components of the dietary fiber.

Dry matter and nitrogen in the duodenal contents of growing pigs: a discrepancy explained.

1. Discrepancies between the results obtained from experiments on pigs with re-entrant duodenal cannulas have been investigated with reference to diet, cannula site and collection procedure. 2. The results obtained from a sealed automatic collection system were different from those obtained from an open manual method and it was concluded that the maintenance of gut intra-luminal pressure in the automatic system was the causative factor.

[Studies on nitrogen and amino-acid absorption in the swine. Part 2. The course of 15 N labeling in the chyme, urine and blood]. / Untersuchungen zur Stickstoff- und Aminosäurenresorption beim Schwein. 2. Mitteilung. Der Verlauf der 15N-Markierung im Chymus, Harn und Blut.

Three female pigs provided with re-entrant canulas at the beginning and the end of the small intestine and catheterized for blood and urine collection were once fed a 15N-labelled mixed diet. Until 48 hours after feed intake chyme from the canulas and urine and blood were collected at varying intervals. All 15N-frequencies measured in the duodenal chyme were found to be below the labelling of the feed protein. Until 11 hours after intake of the labelled feed, the residue obtained by centrifugation of the intestinal contents revealed the highest 15N-labelling. Only slight differences were found in the frequencies of the other fractions (proteins, peptides, free amino acids). The almost constant labelling of all fractions in that period is indicative of a dilution with endogenous nitrogen being constant in comparison with food N. The 15N-frequencies of the chyme fractions observed at the end of the small intestine allowed to conclude that the breakdown of the food proteins is more complete than the disintegration of the endogenous proteins.

[Studies on nitrogen and amino-acid absorption in the swine. Part 1. Passage of the chyme in the small intestine]. / Untersuchungen zur Stickstoff- und Aminosäurenresorption beim Schwein. 1. Mitteilung. Die Passage des Chymus im Dünndarm.

Three female pigs of about 50 kg liveweight were provided with re-entrant canulas in the upper and lower sections of the small intestine and were catheterized to collect urine and blood (vena jugularis). After feeding once the experimental diet containing 15N-labelled, fat extracted dry curd as protein component, it was possible to determine, on two days, the chyme passed through the canulas and to separate aliquote portions thereof for analysis. The cellulose contained in the food was used as indicator for the passage rate of the chyme in the small intestine. The passage rates in the small intestine calculated from the amounts of cellulose and chyme were found to agree fairly well. The passage rates in the upper part of the small intestine were characterized by strongly marked, short-time peaks, right after feed intake, and by periods of relatively even chyme flow some eight hours after feeding. At the end of the small intestine almost constant chyme passage rates were observed over the whole experimental period.

[Nitrogen and amino acid resorption by swine. 4. Amino acid resorption]. / Untersuchungen zur Stickstoff- und Aminosäurenresorption beim Schwein. 4. (Mitteilung) Resorption der Aminosäuren.

The seeming and the actual absorption of amino acids of three pigs with a body mass of 50 kg was determined by inserting re-entrant cannulas at the upper small intestine and its end. The test ration contained dry curds labelled with 15N. The content of N and of amino acids as well as the 15N-excess in the amino acids were determined in the food and the chyme. This served the ascertainment of the actual absorption of amino acids in the small intestines.

[Secretion of endogenous amino acids in the gastrointestinal tract and amino acid resorption in the swine]. / Untersuchungen zur Sezernierung endogener Aminosäuren in den Verdauungstrakt und zur Aminosäurenresorption beim Schwein

A trial was performed with 2 fistula pigs (each with 2 fistulas, one located about 30 cm below the pyloric orifice and the other at the end of the small intestine). Animal A received a casein diet containing 14% crude protein for a period of 2 weeks before the tracer amino acid was administered. Animal B received the same diet for a period of 10 days and was then fed a diet (at the same protein level) containing gluten as sole protein source. The two tracer amino acids, 14C-U-L-leucine and 3H-4,5-(N)-L-lysine, were injected intravenously. The passage rates for dry matter, organic matter and N measured at the beginning of the small intestine were higher than the rate of intake. The rate of passage of amino acids was also found to be increased relative to the rate of intake. In general, this increase involved the non-essential amino acids to a much larger extent. A considerable proportion of the amino acids passing into the large intestine is not excreted with the faeces but is probably converted in catabolic processes. It is for this reason that any values for the efficiency of amino acid absorption calculated on the basis of data on the faecal excretion of amino acids will not provide conclusive evidence for the availability of dietary amino acids in processes of the intermediate metabolism. The rate of secretion of 3H and 14C radioactivity into the digesta of the small intestine was found to increase rapidly within 1-2 hrs after administration of the tracer amino acids. The 14C radioactivity detected was found to be almost exclusively derived from 14C leucine while only about 60% of the 3H activity found in the digesta of fistula I were shown to be bound to lysine. Labelled lysine and leucine (of endogenic origin) are absorbed into the small intestine at a slower rate (i.e. endogenic proteins are less efficiently digested) than the non-radioactive amino acids (of exogenic origin) so that a process of concentration of endogenic amino acids is observed towards the end of the small intestine.

Studies on the secretion of amino acids and of urea into the gastrointestinal tract of pigs. 3. Secretion of urea determined by continuous intravenous infusion of 15N-urea.

Three pigs, of 34 kg live weight, were each fitted with re-entrant cannulas both in the duodenum and terminal ileum and catheters in the jugular vein and in the carotid artery. Pigs received a diet based on wheat and dried skimmed milk in equal amounts at 12 h intervals. During the preliminary period the digesta flowing from both duodenal and ileal cannulas were collected over 12 h after feeding on two consecutive days and half of them were reintroduced into the gut and half were stored at -20 degrees C. During the experimental period 15N-urea was infused into the jugular vein for 12 hours starting with the morning meal. Total amount of urea infused was 5 g containing 1.22 g 15N-excess. The digesta from both proximal duodenal and ileal cannulas were collected and stored, while the digesta from the preliminary period were reintroduced into the respective distal cannulas. Blood samples were taken at different time of infusion. At the end of infusion period the animals were sacrificed and samples of the contents of the digestive tract and tissues were taken. Urea flux calculated according to atom-% 15N-excess of urea N in plasma was 1.23 to 2.37 g/kg body weight/day. In the duodenal digesta 94.5 +/- 0.2 and in ileal digesta 57.1 +/- 7.39 per cent of 15N were in the TCA soluble fraction. The total amount of 15N in the duodenal digesta was 1.7 to 6.3 times greater than in the ileal digesta. Only small amount of 15N was found in the caecum and almost none in the contents of colon and rectum. It is concluded that urea is secreted into all parts of the digestive tract, the main sites of urea secretion being pancreatic juice and/or bile as well as the small intestine. The total amount of urea secreted is assumed to be similar to the daily urea excretion.

Studies on the secretion of amino acids and of urea into the gastro intestinal tract of pigs. 2. Net secretion of leucine into the small and large intestines.

The experiment was carried out on 3 pigs of 34 kg body weight equipped with re-entrant cannulas both in the duodenum and terminal ileum. Furthermore, catheters were inserted into the external jugular vein and into the carotid artery. During a preliminary period digesta from both cannulas were collected and stored. This digesta was than reintroduced during a 12 hours period of intravenous infusion of 14C-leucine while outflowing digesta from the proximal parts of the cannulas were collected, stored and analyzed for leucine content, 14C-radioactivity and specific radioactivity of leucine. This paper reports the net secretion of 14C-activity and of 14C-leucine by the small intestine and the recovery of both in the content of the digestive tract at the end of the infusion. It was concluded that endogenous leucine enters the lumen of the small intestine through the intestinal wall mainly in a protein bound form. Free leucine is secreted, however, only in small amounts. Metabolites of leucine were also secreted into or formed in the lumen of the small intestine. A proportion of endogenous leucine was reabsorbed during the passage of digesta along the small intestine.

[Distribution of radioactivity in the body and rate of incorporation of radioactivity into the tissue proteins of monogastric animals following intravenous injection of tracer amino acids]. / Untersuchungen zur Charakterisierung der Radioaktiviätsverteilung im Organismus und zum Radioaktivitätseinbau in Gewebeproteine bei monogastrischen Tieren nach i. v.-Injektion von Traceraminosäuren

The studies were carried out with pigs and rats. The radioactive animo acids (14C leucine and 3H lysine) were administered to the pigs by way of a catheter tube into the jugular vein. Subsequently, the time pattern of the distribution of the specific amino acid radioactivity was followed in the TCE soluble and Tce precipitable fractions of the blood plasma (TCE= trichloro-acetic acid). The radioactive labelling in rats was carried out by injecting 14C leucine into the portal vein. The animals were killed after incorporation periods from 2 to 60 mins, and the levels of specific radioactivity were estimated in the TCE soluble and TCE precipitable fractions of the blood plasma, in the liver and in the skeletal muscles. The experimental results clearly indicated that the specific radioactivity of the tracer amino acids and the rate of incorporation of radioactivity into tissue proteins were greatly influenced by the size of the free amino acid pool within the range of distribution of the tracer. An estimation of the magnitude of the pool of free amino acids within the distribution range of the tracer can be obtained from the curve pattern for the decline of specific radioactivity of the corresponding free amino acid in the blood plasma. This pool exhibits a high rate of turnover. In all studies made to evaluate in vivo processes of protein synthesis by use of radioactive tracer amino acids it will be particularly important that consideration should be given to the specific radioactivity of the amino acid in the precursor pool for protein synthesis.

Studies on gastric digestion of protein and carbohydrate, gastric secretion and exocrine pancreatic secretion in the growing pig.

Six pigs, initially of 35 kg mean live weight, were each fitted with a re-entrant cannula. This was formed on either side of a short pouch of duodenum into which the pancreatic duct opened and which contained a simple cannula linked to the centre of the re-entrant cannula. Each pig received two diets: diet A was based on wheat starch, sucrose and casein, while diet B was based on barley and soya-bean meal. The diets were given in equal amounts at 12 h intervals. Digesta and pancreatic juice were collected continuously during three 12 h periods for each pig on each diet. Mean duodenal output: dietary intake values for diets A and B respectively were: digesta 1.80, 2.86; dry matter 1.05, 1.03; nitrogen 1.05, 1.06; trichloroacetic acid (TCA)-soluble N 7.69, 9.10; glucose 0.97, 0.89. For diet A the proportion of TCA-soluble N in total N rose from 13 to 50% during 12 h, while it was approximately 50% throughout 12 h for diet B. Mean total pepsin (EC 3.4.23.1) activities (units/24 h) were 760449 (diet A) and 1 466 571 (diet B). Salivary and gastric secretions were calculated to be approximately 4 and 8 kg/24 h for diets A and B respectively. Mean flows in pancreatic juice (g/24 h) for diets A and B respectively were: juice 1204, 2182; protein 10.94, 12.10; N 1.98, 2.14; ash 9.46, 17.31; sodium 3.88, 6.91; potassium 0.23, 0.54; calcium 0.031, 0.046; phosphorus 0.024, 0.026. Mean total enzyme activities (units x 10(-3)/24 h) for diets A and B respectively were: trypsin (EC 3.4.21.4) 138, 114; chymotrypsin (EC 3.4.21.1) 84, 84; carboxypeptidase A (EC 3.4.2.1) 5, 4; carboxypeptidase B (EC 3.4.2.2) 15, 17; amylase (EC 3.2.1.1) 1061, 981. It was calculated that the minimum amount of endogenous N from saliva and gastric secretion was 0.3-0.6 g in 24 h. This assumes no absorption of N occurred anterior to the duodenal cannula.

Studies on the range of tissue protein synthesis in pigs: the effect of thyroid hormones.

The effects of thyroid hormones on the range of tissue protein synthesis in growing pigs using the constant infusion technique with [14C]lysine were studied. 2. During a 6 h infusion, samples were taken from blood and, at the end of the infusion, from liver, pancreas, stomach, small and large intestines, kidney cortex, kidney medulla, muscle and skin. 3. Lower relative specific radioactivities of free leucine and lysine in several tissues were observed in the hormone-treated group than in the untreated one. 4. The range of protein synthesis rate and the daily amount of protein synthesized in tissues was higher in all tissues after application of thyroid hormones. 5. Assuming that the organs analysed represented 70% of the total trichloroacetic acid-precipitable protein of the pig, the estimated range of daily protein synthesis was 251-490 and 312-880 g in untreated and hormone-treated pigs respectively.

Effect of guar gum on glucose and water absorption from isolated loops of jejunum in conscious growing pigs.

Four pigs initially of 30 kg live weight were surgically prepared with two re-entrant cannulas in the jejunum 1.0 m apart which allowed an isolated loop to be formed through which solutions were perfused. 51Cr-EDTA was used as a marker for measuring net secretion or absorption. A new Ringer solution was made, the ionic content of which resembled more closely that found in the jejunum of pigs given similar diets, than Krebs-Ringer solution. The absorption of glucose and water from Krebs-Ringer and new Ringer solutions was compared. The effect of guar gum on the absorption of glucose and water from solutions of glucose and maltose was studied. There was a trend (not significant) for greater absorption of glucose and water from the new Ringer solution than from the Krebs-Ringer solution. Guar gum significantly reduced the net absorption of glucose from glucose or maltose solutions from 74.2 to 41.4% (P less than 0.001) and 71.1 to 35.0% (P less than 0.001) respectively. Guar gum significantly reduced the net absorption of water from the glucose solution from 42.7 to 8.3% (P less than 0.01) and from the maltose solution from 49.2 to 5.1% (P less than 0.001). The lack of differences between the absorption of glucose from solutions of glucose or maltose suggested that maltase (EC 3.2.1.20) activity was not inhibited to the extent that this limited the rate of glucose absorption.