Influence of feeding regimen and postnatal developmental stages on antibacterial activity of pancreatic juice

Antibacterial activity of pancreatic juice in the pig (n= 8) was investigated during early postnatal development and in cattle (n= 6) receiving a different feeding regimen. For pancreatic juice collection, a catheter was surgically implanted in the pancreatic duct. Reintroduction of pancreatic juice was achieved through a T-shaped cannula in the duodenum. Pancreatic juice was collected for 30 min in all cases. In piglets, collections were carried out at 2, 5-6, and 7-10 wk of age, and in cattle, after a standard meal, 48 h starvation, and following 24 h intraduodenal glucose infusion. Antibacterial activity was tested on Micrococcus Pyogenes strain ATTC 6538P by disc agar diffusion technique using nonactivated pancreatic juice, before and after heat treatment for 15 min at 65 and 100°C, respectively.