ENDOGENOUS RELEASE OF GLUCAGON-LIKE PEPTIDE-2 AS A TARGET TO PREVENT EARLY WEANING DISORDERS IN PIGLETS

The glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2) is a gut hormone released by intestinal L-cells in response to different stimuli, including the hormonal signaling of bile acids, such as chenodeoxycolic acid (CDC). This pleiotropic hormone may be implicated in post-weaning disorders induced by early weaning. The aims of this study were to confirm the expression of proglucagon (GLP-2 precursor) and GLP-2 receptor (GLP-2R) in the small intestine, and to study the influence of the inclusion of CDC in the diet of piglets. A total of 12 piglets were weaned at 20 d of age, and randomly assigned to a commercial feed alone or with 60 mg of CDC per kg of BW. At 35 d of age pigs were slaughtered and mucosal scrapings were taken from small intestine. Relative gene expression levels were determined by Real Time PCR. Plasma GLP-2 concentrations at 20, 27 and 34 d of age were measured by radioimmunoassay. Proglucagon level expression was significantly higher (P<0.05) in the distal region of the small intestine. No significant differences were found when comparing gene expression transcripts or plasma GLP-2 concentration between treatments. In conclusion, proglucagon and glucagon-like peptide-2 receptor genes are expressed in the gut of piglets aging 35 d, and may act as targets to improve early weaning associated disorders. However, CDC did not influence the expression of these genes nor the plasma concentration of GLP-2 between 20 and 34 d of age. tech.service.fad@lucta.com