Abstract:

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of soybean peptide on the secretion of gastric acid in weaning
piglets. Thirty newborn Sujiang pigs were randomly divided into control group and soy peptide group. In the soy peptide
group, 2% soybean peptide was additionally added to the basal diet. All pigs were weaned at 21 days of age. At the age of
21 days and 35 days, 6 pigs were randomly selected in each group and slaughtered. Gastric chyme pH, serum gastrin level
and the enzyme activities of H+-K+-ATPase, Na+-K+-ATPase and pepsin in the stomach fundus were measured. Results: In
the soy peptide group, the intragastric pH of 21-day-old piglets decreased to 3.94 ± 0.38 from 4.40 ± 0.17; the intragastric pH
of 35-day-old piglets was 2.89 ± 0.06, a significant decrease compared with 4.15 ± 0.16 for control group; the serum gastrin
level of 35-day-old piglets increased significantly (P < 0.05) and the enzyme activities of gastric mucosal H+-K+-ATPase,
Na+-K+-ATPase and pepsin also increased but not significantly (P > 0.05). These results suggest that soybean peptide can
improve the secretion of gastric acid in piglets, likely by increasing gastrin secretion which may directly act on the parietal
cells rather than by enhancing the activities of H+-K+-ATPase, Na+-K+-ATPase and pepsin.

Key words: soybean peptide, weaning piglets, gastric acid secretion, gastrin