Concurrent studies on the flow of digesta in the duodenum and of exocrine pancreatic secretion of calves. The collection of the exocrine pancreatic secretion from a duodenal cannula

Decreased amylolytic microbes of the hindgut and increased blood glucose implied improved starch utilization in the small intestine by feeding rumen-protected leucine in dairy calves

Starch digestion in the small intestine in ruminants is relatively lower compared with that in monogastric animals, likely due to low pancreatic α-amylase secretion. Previous studies suggested that leucine could increase pancreatic α-amylase secretion in the small intestine of heifers cannulated with abomasal, duodenal, and ileal catheters. However, the surgical procedures probably have an effect on pancreatic function. Thus, we used rumen-protected leucine (RP-Leu) to explore its effect on small intestinal digestion of starch in calves without any surgery in 3 experiments. The first experiment was to explore whether RP-Leu could improve post-ruminal starch digestion in 5-mo-old calves (158 ± 19 kg body weight ± standard deviation). We found that RP-Leu did not affect rumen fermentation profile or whole-tract starch digestibility, but it increased blood glucose concentration and fecal pH and decreased fecal propionate molar proportion. Additionally, RP-Leu increased fibrolytic genera Ruminiclostridium and Pseudobutyrivibrio and decreased the amylolytic genus of Faecalibacterium. The second experiment compared RP-Leu and rumen-protected lysine (RP-Lys) for their effects on post-ruminal starch digestion in 6-mo-old calves (201 ± 24 kg body weight). The responses of blood glucose concentration, fecal pH, fecal propionate proportion, and starch digestibility to RP-Leu supplementation were similar to those observed in experiment 1. Cellulolytic family Ruminococcaceae and Bacteroidales BS11 gut group tended to be increased by RP-Leu. In contrast, RP-Lys showed no significant influence on the above measurements. The third experiment determined the interaction between RP-Leu and rumen-escape starch (RES) on the small intestinal digestion of starch in 8-mo-old calves (289 ± 26 kg body weight). An interaction between RP-Leu and RES levels was observed in fecal butyrate concentration and the relative abundance of family Bacteroidaceae, and genera Ruminococcaceae UCG-005 and Bacteroides. We found that RP-Leu tended to increase the abundance of fecal Firmicutes and decrease Spirochaetae. In conclusion, RP-Leu, but not RP-Lys, increased blood glucose concentration and decreased the amount of starch fermented in the hindgut in a RES dose-dependent manner, suggesting that RP-Leu might stimulate starch digestion in the small intestine.

Bovine pancreatic secretion in the first week of life: potential involvement of intestinal CCK receptors

The aim of this study was to evaluate pancreatic juice secretion of calves in the first postnatal days, and determine a potential involvement of cholecystokinin (CCK) and intestinal CCK receptor in its regulation. Nine neonatal Friesian calves (five controls and four treated intraduodenally with FK480, a CCK-A receptor antagonist) were surgically fitted with a pancreatic duct catheter and a duodenal cannula before the first colostrum feeding. Collections of pancreatic juice and duodenal luminal pressure recordings were started early after recovery from anaesthesia and continued for 6 days. From day 2 or 3 of life, periodic fluctuations in pancreatic secretions were observed in concert with duodenal myoelectric motor complex (MMC) and variations in plasma pancreatic polypeptide (PP) concentrations. Intraduodenal administration of FK480 reduced pancreatic juice secretion while intravenous infusion of CCK had no effect. Immunocytochemistry indicated an association of mucosal CCK-A and -B receptors with neural components of the small intestine. In conclusion, periodic activity of the exocrine pancreas exists in neonatal calves soon after birth and local neural intestinal CCK-A receptors could be partly responsible for the modulation of neonatal calf pancreatic secretion.

Kinetics of pancreatic juice secretion in relation to duodenal migrating myoelectric complex in preruminant and ruminant calves fed twice daily

Daily secretion of pancreatic juice, including postprandial responses to food, was investigated in two groups of calves: preruminant (fed with liquid food) and ruminant (fed with solid food). Male Friesian calves (1 week old and 6 weeks old) were surgically fitted with a pancreatic duct catheter, duodenal cannula and two duodenal electrodes. Continuous 24 h collections of pancreatic juice and myoelectrical recordings were performed with minimal restraint and disturbance of animals. In both groups of calves clear periodic fluctuations in pancreatic juice secretion (volume, protein output and trypsin activity) coinciding with duodenal migrating myoelectric complexes (MMC) were recorded. Secretion of juice per cycle and per day was greater in ruminant calves, but the frequency and amplitude of cycles were lower in this group. There were no differences between day and night-time preprandial pancreatic cycles and duodenal MMC in preruminant calves, whilst in ruminant calves, evening MMC were longer than morning MMC. The pancreatic cephalic phase (increase of volume flow, protein output and trypsin activity during and just after food intake) was significant only in preruminant calves following morning feeding. Postprandial pancreatic cycles did not differ from preprandial cycles, except the pancreatic cycle (juice volume and trypsin activity) in which food was offered in preruminant calves. No gastric or intestinal phase was observed in either group of calves. In conclusion, biological cycles of the gastrointestinal tract are present in both preruminant and ruminant calves, and these cycles evolve along with the change from liquid to solid food.

Electrophoretic separation of proteolytic enzymes in pancreatic juice collected with the pouch or catheter method

CONCLUSION

The results of this study demonstrated that proteolytic enzymes in pancreatic juice from pigs prepared with the pouch method (PM) were nearly fully active or were fully active. When activation with enterokinase was carried out further inactivation and/or breakdown occurred for chymotrypsin C and cathodal trypsin. In addition, some inactivation and/or breakdown of proteolytic enzymes in pancreatic juice occurred during collection of pancreatic juice from PM pigs.

METHODS

Samples of pancreatic juice were collected from growing pigs using either the PM or the catheter method (CM). An isolated pouch was prepared where the pancreatic duct enters the duodenum, and three pigs were fitted with a pancreatic pouch re-entrant cannula. Three different pigs had a catheter surgically inserted into the pancreatic duct. Pooled 8-h samples of pancreatic juice were analyzed before and after activation with enterokinase. Chymotrypsin, trypsin, and elastase activities were identified in pancreatic juice after separation by electrophoresis in 1% agarose gels at pH 8.6 using N-acetyl-DL-phenylalanine-beta-naphthyl ester (Ac-Phe-beta ne) as a substrate.

RESULTS

This qualitative enzyme assay indicated that a considerable amount of chymotrypsin C, anodal trypsin, chymotrypsins A and B, elastase II, and cathodal trypsin were present in samples of nonactivated pancreatic juice from PM pigs. In contrast, the only active enzymes identified in pancreatic juice from CM pigs were very small amounts of chymotrypsin A and elastase II. The amounts of chymotrypsin C and cathodal trypsin were lower in activated than in nonactivated pancreatic juice from PM pigs. However, there were increases in the amounts of the other enzymes when pancreatic juice from PM pigs was activated. As expected, the activation of pancreatic juice from CM pigs resulted in the measurement of very high amounts of all the proteolytic enzymes. The amounts of anodal trypsin, chymotrypsins A and B, and elastase II were higher in activated pancreatic juice from CM pigs than from PM pigs.

Kinetics of pancreatic exocrine secretion and plasma gut regulatory peptide release in response to feeding in preruminant and ruminant calves

Pancreatic exocrine secretion and plasma cholecystokinin, gastrin, secretin, and somatostatin concentrations were examined in relation to feeding in 70- to 120-day-old preruminant and ruminant calves. The apparatus used was designed to immediately re-infuse the animal's own pancreatic juice and to carry out accurate measurements of the juice flow in real time and to take samples. In the preruminants, pancreatic juice, protein, and trypsin flows increased from 45 min before and until 15 min after the meal and decreased sharply thereafter over a period of 30 min. while protein and trypsin concentrations peaked after feeding. A significant increase in plasma gastrin and cholecystokinin (CCK), a fall in secretin and no change in somatostatin were observed after milk ingestion. By contrast, in the ruminants, feeding had no effect on the pancreatic secretion and on the plasma concentrations of these peptides. Similar and simultaneous patterns of juice flow and secretin, as well as of protein and trypsin concentrations, CCK and gastrin, could support the hypothesis that these gut regulatory peptides play a significant role in the regulation of the pancreatic function. In preruminant calves, the existence of cephalic, gastric and intestinal phases is discussed. In the ruminants, that of the ruminal phase is questionable.

Early-life patterns of plasma gut regulatory peptide levels in calves. effects of age, weaning and feeding

1. The effects of age, weaning and feeding on the release of seven gut regulatory peptides [gastrin, cholecystokinin (CCK), secretin, vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), pancreatic polypeptide (PP), motilin and somatostatin] were studied in calves either exclusively milk-fed between birth and 91 days (P group) or weaned between 22-56 days of age (R group). 2. During the first 3 weeks, the basal plasma immunoreactive levels increased with age for secretin, CCK and PP, decreased for gastrin, motilin and somatostatin and were unaffected for VIP. The changes were particularly rapid for somatostatin and gastrin. After 3 weeks, no significant trend was observed with age in the P group. 3. Weaning resulted in an increase of basal gastrin, CCK, PP and VIP and in a decrease of basal secretin and somatostatin. 4. In the P group, the morning meal was followed 1 hr later by an increase of gastrin and CCK, and by a fall of secretin, PP, motilin and somatostatin, but no significant effect was observed in VIP. Weaning resulted in a reduction of the differences between the fasting and the post-feeding values. 5. These changes suggest a large involvement of endocrine cells in the adaptation of gut tissues, secretions and motility at birth, during the maintenance at the pre-ruminant stage and at weaning.

Pancreatic amylase, plasma glucose, and insulin responses to propionate or monensin in sheep

Yearling wethers fitted with reentrant bile-pancreatic duct cannulae were in a two-part study of effects of duodenal propionate infusions or increased ruminal propionate caused by dietary monensin on pancreatic alpha-amylase secretion and glucose and insulin in blood plasma. Continuous duodenal infusion of propionate increased concentrations of glucose and insulin in blood plasma of wethers fed alfalfa. Results supported a direct response of insulin secretion to propionate. Amylase secretion was not affected. Addition of monensin (22 ppm) to an 80% corn diet reduced the ratio of acetate:propionate in rumen, but bile-pancreatic flow and amylase activity were unaffected. Monensin supplementation had little influence on glucose and insulin in blood plasma. Pancreatic alpha-amylase secretion of ruminants seems to be a complex phenomenon that is not regulated strictly by fluctuations of glucose or insulin.

[Protein digestion in ruminant calves]

The influence of various protein sources on N-digestion in forestomachs was investigated with 10 calves of the average age of 12 weeks which were supplied with duodenal re-entrant cannulae. 50 and 100% resp. of the soybean coarse meal-N in the standard ration (A) were replaced by urea-N (B) and lucerne-N (C). The crude protein concentration in the test rations varied between 17 and 19%. In the rumen the average NH3-concentration for rations A, B and C amounted to 7.7, 18.9 and 4.5 mg/100 ml resp., the pH-value was 6.4, 6.8 and 6.3 resp. 2.2, 2.4 and 2.7 g bacteria-N were synthesised per 100 g fermented organic matter. There were significant differences as regards the flow of non-ammonia N measured at the duodenum. Related to N-intake, values of 90, 79 and 104% were registered. 3.7, 3.7 and 4.3 g resp. non-NH3-N per 100 g digested organic matter were found at the duodenum. Under consideration of the high protein level of more than 17% (in the dry matter of the ration) required for this phase of growth, a partial replacement of soybean coarse meal-N by urea-N is of little effectivity. In contrast to this, the complete replacement of soybean protein by lucerne protein could guarantee the protein supply of 12-week-old calves.

Effects of age and weaning on enzyme activities of abomasum and pancreas of the lamb

The effect of age and weaning on enzyme activities of abomasum and pancreas of the lamb was studied. Sixty-nine lambs were either maintained at the preruminant stage until 42 days of age or weaned between 20 and 30 days. They were slaughtered between birth and 100 days, and the mucosa of their abomasum and their pancreas were collected. At 2 days of age there was a threshold of glandular growth and of development of enzyme secretory potentialities. Pancreas showed an extensive hyperplasia without growth until day 2; its weight increased after day 7 but only by hypertrophy. Quantities of gastric enzymes in relation to empty live weight increased between birth and 2 days, but that of chymosin then decreased, whereas pepsin did not change significantly; effects of weaning were similar. The evolution of pancreatic enzyme activity was usually the reverse of that of chymosin; however, trypsin activity was low at birth and that of colipase did not increase at weaning. The ratio of colipase to lipase was always higher than 1, showing that lipase always was saturated in the lamb. The pancreas seemed to take over the secretion of abomasal proteolytic enzymes. Potentialities of enzyme digestion appeared to be influenced mainly by the age or weight of the animal; these potentialities were minimal for at least several days during the first neonatal week and, if there was enzymatic adaptation to the amounts of the ingested substrate, it did not occur rapidly.

[Effect of different drinking frequencies and milk treatments on the digestive flow in the duodenum of the calf]

The digesta dry matter and N-passage rates at the duodenum were measured at 3-to-8-week-old calves with duodenal re-entrant cannulae within 24 hours. The animals received the amount of milk in 1,2 and 4 meals. The milk enriched with 2% fat was given fresh, treated with hydrochloric acid or with formaldehyde. The calves received their feed in buckets. The feeding frequency influenced the chyme- and N-passage rates. After the feeding of 7 l milk in 4, 2 and 1 portions resp. up to 1,200; 1,600 and 2,200 ml chyme resp. passed the duodenum in the first hour after the feeding. More frequent feeding thus guarantees a more continuous flow of the chyme. On average the amount of chyme reached 180 . . . 186% of the amount of milk taken in independent of the feeding frequency whereas the N-amount corresponded to that contained in the feed. Formaldehyde treatment increased the amount of chyme to more than 200% of the milk intake and disturbed the coagulation process in the abomasum. The souring of the milk supported the effective protein hydrolysis in the abomasum due to a quick decrease of the pH-value and, after the feeding in 1 portion, prevented an "overflow" of the abomasum.

Concurrent studies of the flow of digesta in the duodenum and of exocrine pancreatic secretion of calves. 7. Influence of milk substitutes on abomasal lipolysis and biliary secretion

1. The abomasal hydrolysis of lipids and the flow of endogenous (biliary) lipids was studied in two Friesian calves given four milk-substitute diets, by sampling the duodenal digesta. The diets were: reconstituted, mildly preheated, spray-dried skim-milk powder with (SKF) or without (SK) margarine fat or with 500 g/kg skim-milk powder in diet SKF replaced by soy-beran flour (ASKF) or fish-protein concentrate (BSKF) together with dried whey. The diets were given ad lib. twice daily from 13 to 37 d of age, each diet being given for six consecutive days. Collections of duodenal digesta from the re-entrant cannula situated caudal to the bile duct were made for 12 h after feeding the 6th and 12th meals for each diet. Samples from one collection only were subjected to detailed analysis of the lipid classes. 2. The inclusion of non-milk protein (ASKF and BSKF) not only increased the rate of passage of lipid through the abomasum but also the proportion of the lipid present as triglyceride particularly, in the first 2 h after feeding. 3. In a 12 h period, 2.3-6.3 g 'polar' lipids (mainly biliary phospholipids) were estimated to have been secreted. The rate of flow was high during the first hour after feeding and constant thereafter. The quantity of 'polar' lipid was not related to the type of milk fed or the duodenal flow of lipid. 4. When diet SK was fed, the small amounts of lipid present were extensively hydrolysed so that free fatty acids represented 700 g/kg lipid of dietary origin passing through the duodenum. When margarine fat was included in the diets (SKF, ASKF and BSKF), the free fatty acids represented only 210 g/kg lipid of dietary origin. 5. The quantities of lipid and nitrogen passing through the duodenum were poorly related to the quantities ingested at the beginning of the 12 h experimental period but were closely related to each other.

Abomasum emptying in dairy calves fed milk replacers with varying fat and sources of protein

Young Holstein male calves fitted with reentrant duodenal fistulae were in two 3 x 3 Latin square experiments. In the first experiment the calves were fed milk replacers containing either 5%, 15%, or 25% lard. Total nitrogen, protein nitrogen, and fat left the abomasum more slowly for the 5% fat milk replacer than for the other two milk replacers. In the second experiment, the calves were fed milk replacers containing either whey proteins, whey, and fish proteins (50:50), or whey and soybean proteins (50:50). Dry matter, total nitrogen, protein nitrogen, and nonprotein nitrogen left the abomasum more slowly for the milk replacer containing whey and soybean proteins than for the other two milk replacers. In both experiments, milk replacers did not differ in rates of passage of fresh matter, reducing substances, ash, gastric secretion of hydrochloric acid, gastric proteolysis, and diarrhea. In Experiment 1, milk replacers did not differ in rates of passage of dry matter and nonprotein nitrogen. In Experiment 2, milk replacers did not differ in rate of passage of fat. Circadian rhythm had no influence.

Concurrent studies of the flow of digesta in the duodenum and of exocrine pancreatic secretion in calves. 6. The effect of feeding warm or cold milk by bucket or teat

1. The effects of bucket- v. teat-feeding and warm- v. cold-milk feeding on the flow of duodenal digesta and the concurrent pancreatic secretion were studied in two experiments in preruminant Ayrshire calves (28–43 d of age), fitted with duodenal re-entrant and pancreatic sac cannulas.

2. As measured by the time interval taken for total recovery of the polyethylene glycol fed in the milk, the whey fluids had a more rapid passage through the abomasum when the calves were given warm milk by teat rather than by bucket (Expts 1 and 2). The duodenal digesta contained less sodium ions and more ‘Cl-Na+’ when the calves were fed by teat even though the volumes of milk drunk and duodenal flow were similar. It was concluded that more abomasal acid was secreted when calves were fed by teat.

3. When the calves were fed by teat rather than by bucket, the protein-nitrogen : N (PN : N) in the duodenal digesta was lower, especially during the first 6 h after feeding and there was a tendency for more pancreatic proteases to be secreted.

4. In Expt 1, when the calves were given warm milk the total flow of N and lipid in the duodenal digesta was 22 and 19% greater than that ingested. This was considered to be due to the coagulum from the penultimate meal plus the experimental meal passing more readily through the duodenum when sampling and to endogenous secretion of N and lipid.

5. When four Ayrshire calves were bucket-fed cold, rather than warm milk there was a reduced secretion of abomasal and pancreatic fluids and abomasal acid. There were no differences in the time interval required for the whey fluids to leave the abomasum or the PN : N value.

6. There was a positive correlation between the total duodenal flow of non-whey fluids and the pancreatic secretion regardless of the method of feeding.

7. The completeness of digestion and susceptibility of calves to diarrhoea when fed by teat and bucket is discussed.

Abomasum emptying in young dairy calves fed milk replacers containing animal or vegetable fats

Young Holstein male calves, fitted with re-entrant duodenal fistulae, were fed 25% fat milk replacers containing either butter oil, lard, or corn oil in a 3 X 3 Latin square experiment. Proteins were supplied by skim milk powder. Patterns of changes with time after feeding were observed for the composition and pH of duodenal digesta, recovery rates of fresh and dry matter, rates of abomasum emptying for fresh and dry matter, gastric proteolysis, and diarrhea. The composition and pH of duodenal digesta changed markedly with time after feeding, but the only notable differences between milk replacers were for contents of protein nitrogen and total nitrogen. Recovery rates of fresh matter were higher than 100%, presumably due to salivary and gastric secretions. Dry matter was recovered at a rate averaging 100% suggesting that the method used to measure the flow rate and sample duodenal digesta was adequate. The highest flow rates of fresh matter were during the first 3 h after feeding. Differences were marked among the flow rates of constituents of dry matter. Gastric proteolysis was not influenced by the nature of dietary fats. Fecal dry matter, a measure of the severity of diarrhea, was markedly lower for the milk replacer filled with corn oil than for the other two milk replacers.

Apparatus to measure flow and sample duodenal contents in calves

A simple and inexpensive apparatus, requiring minimum labor to operate, was designed to measure flow and sample duodenal contents in young dairy calves. This apparatus simulated normal physiological conditions and was used satisfactorily under varied experimental conditions.

Concurrent studies of the flow of digesta in the duodenum and of exocrine pancreatic secretion in calves. 5. The effect of giving milk once and twice daily, and of weaning

1. The effects of giving milk once or twice daily (Expt 1) and of weaning (Expt 2) on the flow rate of digesta through the duodenum and on pancreatic secretion were studied in four and two Ayrshire calves respectively. The calves were prepared with duodenal re-entrant and pancreatic sac cannulas. 2. In Expt 1, when whole milk was offered ad lib. once daily, the calves ingested 141 g/kg live weight (46 g dry matter (DM)/kg live weight 0.75) at a single meal. The subsequent pattern of flow and total recovery of polyethylene glycol from the duodenum suggested that none of the ingested milk passed into the rumeno-reticulum. As the total daily quantity of milk ingested when the calves were fed once and twice daily was similar, it was concluded that abomasal distension is unlikely to be the sole factor limiting milk intake in the preruminant calf. 3. With twice-daily feeding, there were no differences in the pattern or total flow of fluid, electrolytes, nitrogen or fat through the duodenum of the calves following the 09.00 and 21.00 hours meals. The pattern of flow of duodenal and pancreatic fluids and the concentration of electrolytes, N and fat were markedly different when the calves were fed once or twice daily. The patterns of flow of fluid and the concentration of electrolytes in the duodenal digesta reflected the frequency of feeding and the size of the meal and the consequent balance between feed and endogenous components of the digesta. The quantity of the apparent endogenous secretion and pancreatic secretion was markedly less when the calves were fed once daily. 4. In Expt 2, the two Ayshire calves were given whole milk twice daily (diet MM), whole milk once daily with concentrates (diet MC), concentrates alone (diet CC) or dried grass alone (diet DG). The calves consumed 46, 49, 45 and 51 g DM/kg live weight 0.75 when given diets MM, MC, CC and DG respectively. 5. The twice-daily fluctuations in the flow and concentration of fluid, electrolytes, N and fat in the duodenal digesta and the pancreatic fluid observed when diet MM was given were replaced by relatively constant flow rates and composition when diet CC or DG was given. 6. Over the 24 h experimental period 97, 70, 50 and 58% of the DM and 112, 98, 99 and 84% of the N in the feed passed through the duodenum of calves when given diets MM, MC, CC and DG respectively. 7. When dry food was given, the rate of pancreatic fluid secretion was markedly lower (11.3 and 13.5 ml/kg live weight for diets CC and DG respectively) than when diet MM (19.7 ml/kg live weight) was given.

Concurrent studies of the flow of digesta in the duodenum and of exocrine pancreatic secretion of calves. 4. The effect of age

1. The effect of age on the flow of duodenal digesta and of pancreatic secretion was studied in preruminant calves fitted with duodenal re-entrant and pancreatic sac cannulas. In Expt 1 a comparison was made at 7, 24 and 63 d of age of Ayrshire calves given whole milk, and in Expt 2 Friesian calves given milk-substitute diets were studied during the period 16–37 d of age.

2. For the Ayrshire calves, ad lib. whole-milk intake increased with age, but whole-milk intake on a per kg metabolic body-weight (W0.75) basis did not alter. As the intake increased with age, the whey fluids were passed out of the abomasum more rapidly.

3. As judged by the mean duodenal pH values and the values for ‘chloride ion minus sodium ion’ concentration in the digesta, and for apparent secretions (total quantity recovered at duodenal cannula during 12 h after feeding minus intake) the duodenal digesta became more acid as the Ayrshire calves became older. There was no change with age in the extent of degradation of the milk proteins as indicated by the protein-nitrogen: total N values for duodenal digesta.

4. The volume of pancreatic fluids secreted by the Ayrshire calves increased markedly with age, but when expressed on a per kg W0.75 the volume did not increase after 24 d of age. In absolute terms and also in relation to whole-milk intake or W0.75 there was a large increase in secretion of total protease, a very large increase in α-amylase (EC 3.2.1.1) but no change in trypsin (EC 3.4.4.4) activities with age.

5. In the Friesian calves secretion of pancreatic fluid and activities of α-chymotrypsin (EC 3.4.4.5), α-amylase, lipase (EC 3.1.1.3) and ribonuclease (EC 2.7.7.16, 2.7.7.17) but not trypsin or total protease increased with age.

6. The extent of the increase in secretion of pancreatic enzymes during the first hour after the Friesian calves were fed milk-substitute diets differed between enzymes.

7. The changes in the quantities of pancreatic enzymes secreted are discussed in relation to the changes in the digestibility of milk-substitute diets.

Secretion of electrolytes by the pancreas of the anaestetized rat

1. HCO-3, Na+ and K+ concentrations were measured in bile-free pancreatic juice collected from fasted and fed anaesthetized rats. 2. Resting flow rates averaged 0.62 mul. g-1 .min-1 (fasted) and 2.8 mul. g-1. min-1 (fed) and the mean HCO-3 concentrations, respectively, were 25.8 and 33.3 mM. 3. In fasted rats, instillation of HCl into the duodenum caused flow rate to increase threefold and HCO-3 concentrations to double (66 mM). Intravenous infusion of pure natural (GIH) secretin caused a fivefold increase in flow rate; HCO-3 concentrations, again, doubled (67.5 mM). Infusion of synthetic secretin produced effects essentially the same as those produced by GIH secretin. 4. Infusion of Boots secretin caused a thirteenfold increase in flow rate (8.32 mul.g-1. min-1) but HCO-3 concentrations rose only slightly (43.3 mM). However, following cessation of infusion, when flow rate approximated the maximum obtained with pure secretin, the HCO-3 concentration was much higher (57.2 mM at 3.19 uml.g-1.min-1). In fed animals the responses were similar but maximum flow rates were greater (12 mul. g-1. min-1). 5. Infusion of caerulein produced a secretory rate slightly less than with Boots secretin (5.06 mul. g-1.min-1) and HCO-3 concentrations were plasmalike (30.2 mM); infusion of the synthetic octapeptide of cholecystokinin (OP-CCK) gave similar flow rates and HCO-3 concentrations. 6. Infusion of a mixture of caerulein and GIH secretin mimicked closely the effect of Boots secretin. At maximum flow rates (7.6 mul. g-1. min-1) the HCO-3 concentration was 43.7 mM and at lower flow rates (3.90 mul.g-1. min-1) it rose to 54.2mM. 7. It is concluded that the response of the rat pancreas to secretin is qualitatively similar to that of all other vertebrates so far studied, but, relative to other animals, the response is sluggish. In contrast, the rat pancreas responds well to cholecystokinin (CCK) stimulation, yielding a juice with plasma-like HCO-3 concentration. Boots secretin, which is heavily contaminated with CCK, causes a mixed response resembling that of CCK at high secretory rates and that of pure secretin at lower rates. 8. An unexplained feature of rat pancreatic juice was that K+ concentrations, although plasma-like in unstimulated samples, rose to about 8mM when flow rate increases as a result of secretin, but not CCK, stimulation. In all other animals so far studied, the K+ concentration has been found to be independent of flow rate.

Concurrent studies of the flow of digesta in the duodenum and of exocrine pancreatic secretion of calves. 3. Further studies on the addition of fat to skim milk and the use of non-milk proteins in milk-substitute diets

1. The flow of digesta through the duodenum and the concurrent secretion of the pancreas were studied in four Friesian calves given four milk-substitute diets. The diets were: reconstituted, "mildly" pre-heated, spray-dried skim-milk powder with (SKF) or without (SK) margarine fat or with 5o percent of the skim-milk powder in diet SKF replaced by soya-bean flour (ASKF) or fish-protein concentrate (BSKF), together with dried whey. The diets were given ad lib. twice daily from 13 to 37 d of age, each diet being given for 6 consecutive days. Collections of duodenal digesta and pancreatic secretions, from cannulas, were made for 12 h after feeding the 6th and 12th meals ("experimental" meals) for each diet. 2. The diets fed as "experimental" meals contained polyethylene glycol (PEG) as a fluid (whey) marker and goat's milk containing (3H)lysine as a marker for total protein; beta-carotene was added as a lipid marker to the three diets containing margarine fat. 3. Over the 12 h postprandial period, the patterns of duodenal digesta flow and secretion of pancreatic fluid did not differ markedly between the four diets. The abomasal outflow of both nitrogen and lipid in a 12 h postprandial period was related to their intakes from the "penultimate" (5th and 11th) meals for diets SKF and SK BUT TO THEIR INTAKES AT THE "EXPERIMENTAL MEALS" FOR DIETS ASKF and BSKF. Secretion of pancreatic enzyme activity was highest during the 1st hour after feeding but the main outflow from the abomasum of total N and lipid occurred 5-10 h after feeding. 4. The time required for all the whey marker (PEG) to pass through the duodenum was similar for diets SKF and SK, but only 53 and 42 percent respectively of the ingested protein marker passed through the duodenum in the 12 h after feeding. More acid appeared to be secreted by the abomasum when diet SK was given; also less undigested protein passed out of the abomasum after giving this diet. It is concluded that the physical absence of fat globules in the abomasal clot increases the degree of proteolysis. 5. The secretions of pancreatic fluid and pancreatic enzyme activity were all markedly lower for diet SK than for diet SKF. 6. With diets containing non-milk proteins (ASKF and BSKF), abomasal proteolysis was less efficient and the ingested protein passed out of the abomasum more rapidly than for diet SKF. There was no difference in the rate of abomasal outflow of the whey fluids between diets SKF, ASKF and BSKF. 7. In comparison with diet SKF, diets ASKF and BSKF tended to induce less pancreatic enzyme secretion over a 12 h postprandial period, with the exception of lipase. 8. There appeared to be no direct relationship between the quantities of any of the pancreatic enzymes secreted during a postprandial period and either the concurrent flow of duodenal digesta or the total quantities of dietary constituents passing through the duodenum.

Concurrent studies of the flow of digesta in the duodenum and of exocrine pancreatic secretion of calves. 2. The effects of addition of fat to skim milk and of 'severe' preheating treatment of spray-dried skim-milk powder

1. The duodenal flow of digesta and the concurrent pancreatic secretion were compared when six Ayrshire calves, with duodenal re-entrant and pancreatic sac cannulas, were fed on three reconstituted milks. The diets were: reconstituted, ‘mildly’ preheated, spray-dried skim-milk powder (SK); the same skim milk containing 20 g fat/l (SKF); and reconstituted, ‘severely’ preheated skim-milk powder containing 20 g fat/l (HSKF). The calves were fed ad lib. from teats twice daily from 9 to 21 d of age, each diet being offered for 4 d. Collections of duodenal digesta and pancreatic secretions were made for 12 h after the fourth and eighth meals on each diet.

2. The calves tended to have the highest liquid intakes when diet SK was given. After adjustment for differences in intake, diet SK resulted in the appearance of more hydrogen, chloride and potassium ions but less undigested protein nitrogen in the duodenal digesta than with either diet SKF or HSKF.

3. Compared with diets SK and SKF, the whey fluids from diet HSKF took significantly longer to leave the abomasum, less H+ passed through the duodenum during the first 6 h after feeding and less Cl− during the whole postprandial period. More undigested protein N and fat from diet HSKF passed through the duodenum during the first 6 h after feeding, although this difference was significant only for protein N during the 1st hour after feeding.

4. Over the 12 h postprandial period, the duodenal digesta contained almost exactly the same quantities of polyethylene glycol (PEG), N and fat as those in the meal. The total volume of digesta was 2.25 l greater than the quantity of milk ingested. When the hourly duodenal flows of PEG and fluid were expressed as the square root of the hourly quantities recovered, the pattern of abomasal emptying was rectilinear. The flows of N and fat were curvilinear, when expressed on the same basis.

5. The concentration of ‘sodium-free’chloride in the duodenal digesta, in excess of that ingested in the milk, was used as an indicator of the quantity of acid secreted by the abomasum. The relative quantity of acid secreted was greatest with diet SK and least with diet HSKF.

6. The pancreatic secretion of fluid was highest during the period 5–9 h after feeding but the secretion of enzyme activity was highest during the first 2 h after feeding.

7. Considerable variability in the secretion of enzyme activity was observed and the rate of secretion did not appear to be related to any component of the duodenal digesta.

8. Diet SKF was associated with a greater volume of pancreatic secretion and more pancreatic protease secretion than either diet SK or HSKF, but most amylase activity was secreted when diet HSKF was given. Evidence is presented which suggests that pancreatic enzyme activity adaptation occurred when diet HSKF was offered in succession to diet SK or SKF. The secretion of trypsin activity did not differ between diets.