POSTNATAL DEVELOPMENT OF β-GLUCURONIDASE IN THE JEJUNUM AND ILEUM OF RATS

Abstract

β-Glucuronidase activity in the homogenates of the mucosa of the small intestine is higher in the distal than in the proximal third of the intestine between the 4th and 17th postnatal day in rats. Activity falls proximally up to day 20, while distally, activity rises from birth up to day 15 and then falls rapidly up to day 20 (20×). Starting from day 20, activity is the same proximally and distally. β-Glucuronidase (expressed as changes of total activity per third of the small intestine) changes during the postnatal development very little in the proximal part; the greatest changes occur in the distal part.Adrenalectomy, performed on day 15, inhibits the normal decrease in activity seen in the distal part on day 19.