Growth and development of the exocrine pancreas in newborn pigs: The effect of colostrum feeding

This study examined the growth and development of the pancreas in naturally suckled piglets during the first 3 postnatal days and the effects of colostrum feeding on the pancreatic development. The results showed that in naturally suckled piglets, the absolute weight of the pancreas increased 51% during the first day and 86% by the 3rd day, and the relative weight per unit body weight increased 37% during the first day and 47% by the 3rd day. Associated with the rapid weight gain was a significant increase in pancreatic DNA content and enlargement of pancreatic exocrine acinar units, the latter apparently resulted from an increase in number rather than size of acinar cells. It was further shown that the rapid pancreatic growth was related to colostrum ingestion as significant pancreatic weight gain was observed in piglets bottle-fed porcine colostrum or trypsinized porcine colostrum but not in piglets bottle-fed 5% lactose solution. Trypsinized porcine colostrum was apparently more potent than native porcine colostrum in stimulating pancreatic growth in newborn pigs. It is speculated that colostrum-borne growth factors and/or postnatal surge of gut hormones following onset of oral feeding are the major factors responsible for the rapid postnatal pancreatic growth in newborns.