Effect of Trypsin Inhibitor isolated from Sows' Colostrum on the Absorption of γ-Globulin by Piglets

Abstract

IT is generally held that the absorption of whole proteins by piglets occurs only during the first two days of life. By this mechanism the baby pig acquires antibodies. For the first 5 days post partum the sow's colostrum contains a trypsin inhibitor¹ and it has been suggested² that the function of the trypsin inhibitor is to prevent the digestion of γ-globulins, so allowing the piglet to absorb them intact. Extending this theory further, it can be postulated that whole protein absorption ceases when there is insufficient inhibitor in the colostrum to inactivate all the trypsin entering the gut.