Development of disaccharidase activity in the small intestine of broiler chickens

Abstract

1. The changes in disaccharidase activity in the small intestine of broiler chickens were investigated in isolated enterocytes on d 18 of embryonic development and d 1, 7, 21, 35 and 56 after hatching. 2. The specific activities of maltase, lactase and trehalase were greatest on d 18 of embryonic development. After hatching, maltase specific activity gradually decreased until d 18. 3. After d 7 postnatally only traces of lactase and trehalase activity were found in the enterocytes. 4. Significant sucrase activity was found on d 18 of embryonic development and the activity of this enzyme increased 2-fold after hatch and remained generally constant up to d 35, after which the enzyme specific activity declined.