Effect of Feeding Colostral and Milk Components on the Cessation of Intestinal Absorption of Large Molecules (Closure) in Neonatal Pigs

Abstract

For approximately the first 36 hours of life, neonates of some species, e.g., piglets, are able to absorb large molecules from their intestines. The time when the piglet ceased absorbing large molecules (closure) was a function of feeding regimen. Closure activity was in sow's and cow's colostrum. A diet containing protein in a simple salt solution (either egg albumin, porcine albumin or procine γ-globulin) did not render the piglet's gut impermeable to large molecules. Nor was milk fat needed in the diet for closure to occur. A diet of boiled (essentially protein- and fat-free) cow's colostral whey engendered closure. Also, closure activity was in a dialyzate of cow's colostrum and in a dialyzate of non-fat dried milk solids. No activity was associated with synthetic milk salts, vitamins or sugars. Thus, closure is possible with a heat-stable, low molecular weight, protein- and fat-free fraction of milk; and activity is not dependent on the absorption of large molecules.