The Development and Distribution of Alkaline Phosphatase Activity in the Small Intestine of the Horse

Abstract

Listen

Translate article

Alkaline phosphatase activity located in the intestinal brush border shows a non-uniform development pattern in the fetus. Highest levels of activity are found in the distal small intestine where mature levels are reached by the ninth month of gestation but not until birth in the more proximal sites. There is little variation in the level of enzyme activity from birth through the horse’s life. Alkaline phosphatase is present in meconium and in the large intestine, although at lower levels than in the small intestine where its function in active transport mechanisms could be expected.