Glucose Milliequivalents Eaten by the Neonatal Pig and Cessation of Intestinal Absorption of Large Molecules (Closure)

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Abstract
Neonates of some species, e.g., piglets, are able to absorb large molecules through their intestines for approximately the first 36 hours of their life. The time when the piglet ceased absorbing large molecules (closure) was a function of feeding regimen. The purpose of the present experiments was to define further the means whereby feeding accelerated closure. It was learned that the absorbing capacity of the neonatal pig was diminished by feeding it water solutions of one chemical molecular species — for example, glucose. Piglets that ate more than 300 mEq of glucose within an 18- to 24-hour period were unable to absorb the 40-ml test dose of chicken egg protein given per os. Piglets fed solutions of galactose, xylose, sucrose, and lactose reacted similarly. Salt solutions, glycine and lecithin were not effective. The closure response to glucose was independent of the total volume fed and the concentration of glucose. It was not possible to effect closure in piglets in less than 12 hours, but from then on closure was independent of time and dependent on the number of molecules of glucose consumed. Reversal of closure was not detected.