Table 1 Intestinal growth and enzyme activities in premature pigs fed colostrum or formula, either as fetuses or newborns (mean values ± SE for 3 intestinal regions). *P < 0.05, higher value in colostrum-fed pigs than in corresponding formula-fed pigs.

Intestine (g/kg)

21.2 ± 2.1

33.9 ± 2.7

30.9 ± 2.8

33.9 ± 0.8

31.2 ± 1.8

Mucosa (%)

62.6 ± 3.2

80.0 ± 3.5

76.6 ± 1.6

83.1 ± 1.2*

73.4 ± 1.3

Maltase (U/g)

0.76 ± 0.06

2.54 ± 0.27*

1.49 ± 0.21

3.05 ± 0.14*

1.08 ± 0.12

Lactase (U/g)

14.5 ± 2.2

9.4 ± 1.0

10.2 ± 1.1

9.09 ± 1.03*

3.81 ± 0.43

ApN (U/g)

4.31 ± 0.31

3.29 ± 0.18

4.40 ± 0.38

5.15 ± 0.47*

2.62 ± 0.30

ApA (U/g)

1.86 ± 0.14

2.51 ± 0.10

3.19 ± 0.18

3.31 ± 0.26*

1.68 ± 0.20

DPP IV (U/g)

1.55 ± 0.18

0.61 ± 0.13

0.78 ± 0.13

1.48 ± 0.21*

0.76 ± 0.09