EFFECTS OF EPIDERMAL GROWTH-FACTOR ON NEONATAL GROWTH OF RAT INTESTINES

The effects of epidermal growth factor (EGF) on neonatal intestines were examined in the rat. In 5-day-old rats, sucrase, trehalase, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (gamma-GTP) activities in the small intestines were significantly increased after subcutaneous injection of EGF for 3 days (1 mu g/rat/day). gamma-GTP activity was also accelerated after oral EGF administration (2 mu g/rat/day). Small intestines of 12-day-old rats injected with EGF for 10 days(1 mu g/rat/day) were significantly heavier than those of controls. These results suggest that EGF influences neonatal growth improving enlargement and functional development of their intestines.