Table 2.
Gut structure and function on day 19 of preterm pigs fed a bovine milk diet (CON, n = 19) or the milk diet supplemented with OPN (OPN, n = 16).
| Parameter | Unit | OPN | CON | p-Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prox, villus height | µm | 604 ± 20.4 | 576 ± 18.1 | NS |
| Prox, crypt depth | µm | 92.7 ± 2.74 | 96.8 ± 1.89 | <0.01 |
| Mid, villus height | µm | 590 ± 22.7 | 546 ± 17.6 | NS |
| Mid, crypt depth | µm | 92.2 ± 2.50 | 93.9 ± 2.16 | NS |
| Dist, villus height | µm | 490 ± 19.2 | 457 ± 14.5 | NS |
| Dist, crypt depth | µm | 88.5 ± 2.84 | 88.4 ± 1.82 | NS |
| Gastric content 1 | g/kg | 17.3 ± 1.90 | 17.1 ± 0.96 | NS |
| Brush border enzyme activities (Mid) | ||||
| Lactase | U/g tissue | 34.7 ± 3.15 | 43.1 ± 3.98 | 0.08 |
| Maltase | U/g tissue | 7.80 ± 1.83 | 7.31 ± 1.06 | NS |
| Sucrase | U/g tissue | 1.80 ± 0.29 | 1.79 ± 0.18 | NS |
| ApA | U/g tissue | 7.00 ± 0.50 | 6.35 ± 0.44 | NS |
| ApN | U/g tissue | 11.2 ± 0.44 | 10.2 ± 0.60 | NS |
| DPPIV | U/g tissue | 3.65 ± 0.27 | 3.40 ± 0.20 | NS |
1 The gastric content is normalized to the bodyweight. NS: not significant. ApA, aminopeptidase A; ApN, aminopeptidase N; Dist, distal small intestine; DPPIV, dipeptidyl peptidase IV; Mid, middle small intestine; OPN, bovine milk osteopontin; Prox, proximal small intestine. Values are expressed as mean ± SEM.