Effect of short-chain fatty acids on pancreatic exocrine secretion in calves aged 2 weeks and 13 weeks.

Abstract

Effects of short-chain fatty acids on pancreatic exocrine secretion were studied under anesthesia in calves within 2 weeks of age (2-wks calves) given only whole milk and milk replacement and in which rumen fermentation has not begun yet, and in calves at 13 weeks of age (13-wks calves) weaned at 40 days of age and in which rumen fermentation has already begun. Basal rate of juice flow and protein concentration and amylase activity in pancreatic juice under basal condition were significantly lower in the 2-wks calves than those in the 13-wks calves. Intravenous administrations of acetate, propionate and butyrate stimulated pancreatic juice secretion and protein and amylase output in both groups of calves. Those responses were increased with increasing carbon number in the molecule of fatty acids. Although the response of amylase output (/kg of body weight) in the 2-wks calves was significantly less than that in the 13-wks calves, the response of juice flow and protein output (/kg of body weight) in the 2-wks calves were equivalent to or greater than those in the 13-wks calves. These results indicate that the characteristic of pancreas, being stimulated by short-chain fatty acids, in calves and probably in other ruminants is not generated on the process of postnatal development, but has been already acquired before rumen fermentation begins.