Oral IGF-I enhances nutrient and electrolyte absorption in neonatal piglet intestine.

The effect of orally administered insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) on small intestinal structure and function was studied in 5-day-old colostrum-deprived piglets. Human recombinant IGF-I (3.5 mg ⋅ kg-1 ⋅ day-1) or control vehicle was given orogastrically for 4 days. Body weights, jejunal and ileal mucosa wet and dry weights, and serum IGF-I levels were similar in the two groups. Small intestinal villus height and crypt depth and jejunal enterocyte microvillar dimensions were also similar between groups. Oral IGF-I produced higher rates of jejunal ion transport because of increased basal Na+ absorption. Short-circuit current responses to mucosal addition ofd-glucose andl-alanine and net transepithelial absorption of 3- O-methylglucose were increased by IGF-I. Carrier-mediated uptake ofd-glucose per milligram in everted jejunal sleeves was greater in IGF-I-treated piglets because of a significantly greater maximal rate of uptake. We conclude that rates of net Na+ and Na+-dependent nutrient absorption are enhanced in piglets treated with oral IGF-I, and this effect is independent of changes in mucosal mass or surface area.