Effect of Different Weaning Ages on Main Digestive Enzymes Activities in the Small Intestinal Contents of Lamb

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of different weaning ages on pH and the main digestive enzymes activities in the small intestinal contents of lamb. Fifty-five male lambs of Gansu modern breeding sheep group with(3.43±1.15)kg initial body weight were divided into 3 treatments randomly that were control group (sucking,25 lambs), group Ⅰ (weaning at 28 days old, 15 lambs), and group Ⅱ(weaning at 42 days old,15 lambs).5 lambs from each group were slaughtered at 12 h,7 d and 14 d after weaning,respectively,and the the change of pH and activities of α-amylase,trypsin,chympotrypsin and lipase were measured in the small intestinal contents. The results showed that the effects of pH and the main digestive enzymes activities could be expressed sensitively in the contents of duodenum. From duodenum to ileum,the effects of weaning turned weakening gradually,and it did not show a high-impact on pH,trypsin and lipase activities. There was no significant influence in the recovery time to the normal levels of the main digestive enzymes activities in the small intestinal contents by different weaning ages,the recovery time of α-amylase in group Ⅰ was shorter than group Ⅱ. In this trail condition,it was feasible to wean at 28 days of age,and it had no significant difference in the recovery ability of main digestive enzymes in the small intestinal contents weaning at 28 and 42 days old.