Postnatal development of pancreatic juice lipase activity in bovine calves

The present investigation was made on 10 crossbred bovine calves (Kankrej x Jersey) with reference to lipase activity in pancreatic juice from birth to the early ruminant stage. Pancreatic juice was collected in situ by cannulating the pancreatic duct. Samples were collected 30 min before feeding (BF) and 30 min after feeding (AF) both in the morning (MH) and in the evening (EH). Results were significant effect during AF throughout the study period. Overall, lipase activity fluctuated little, except during the initial two days. Further, total activity (volume x concentration; VxC) was found to increase with age when expressed as volume (flow rate) of pancreatic juice secreted during a period of 30 min. Diurnal variation revealed non significant higher lipase activity during EH when compared to morning hours, except that significant higher activity was recorded at EH at 1 day, 2 day, 8 weeks and 11 weeks of age. Overall lipase activity increased due to feeding to a level of 14.9% (0.53 U/ml) as compared to its basal level. Average lipase activity (U/ml) at different feeding stages were: 2.9+/-0.36 during colostrum feeding, 3.9+/-0.13 during milk replacer powder feeding, 3.9+/-0.11 with concentrate and hay feeding, and 4.1+/-0.09 with fodder (green and dry) feeding. Findings suggest that lipase activity present at birth, increases with age in terms of volume secreted. The developmental pattern may be modified by the colostrum and milk substitute intake, as well as upon weaning due to development of lore-stomachs and increased amount of solid food intake.