Ontogenic Development of Neurotensin-Like Immimoreactivity in the Gastrointestinal Tract and the Influence of Dietary Changes in Rats

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Abstract
The ontogenic development of neurotensin-like immunoreactivity (NTLI) in the gatrointestinal tract was studied in three groups of male rats on different diets. Group I rats were weaned physiologically. Group II rats received only mother''s milk until 25 days of age. Group III rats were fed mother''s milk alone for 20 days and then switched abruptly to laboratory chow. The NTLI concentration in the gastrointestinal tract from the esophagus to the small intestine was almost the same as that in adult rats before weaning. It increased after weaning to a peak on day 20 or 25, and then decreased to the adult level. The NTLI concentration in the cecum and large intestine, however, decreased from high neonatal level, reaching the adult level on day 20 or 25, and it remained constant thereafter. Prolonged mother''s milk feeding alone enhanced neurotensin production in the esophagus and postponed the physiological decrement of NTLI concentrations in the duodenum and small intestine. The sudden change from mother''s milk to laboratory chow accelerated the decrement of intestinal NTLI concentrations.