GLP-2 has differential effects on small intestine growth and function in fetal and neonatal pigs

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Abstract
Glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2) is a potent intestinotropic factor in neonatal and adult animals. However, the GLP-2 responsiveness of the fetal intestine has not been established. To determine how stage of development affects the responsiveness to GLP-2, we examined GLP-2 receptor (GLP-2R) expression, gut morphology, and brush-border enzyme mRNA and activities in late-gestation fetal (n = 7) and parenterally fed neonatal (n = 7) piglets given GLP-2 (12.5 nmol/kg) twice daily for 6 days. The GLP-2R was expressed in the fetal and neonatal gastrointestinal tract. The biologically active GLP-2-(1–33) was undetectable (P < 0.05). Crypt cell proliferation and the enzymes sucrase-isomaltase, lactase-phloridzin hydrolase, aminopeptidase A, and dipeptidyl peptidase IV were unchanged by GLP-2 in both groups. Aminopeptidase N mRNA and activity were increased in fetuses, while maltase mRNA and activity were increased in neonates. In conclusion, exogenous GLP-2 had different effects on small intestine growth and function in fetuses and neonates. This may be related to the normal developmental changes in intestine growth and function and to a maturation of the GLP-2R signaling pathways around the time of birth.

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