Inositol Phosphatase in Developing Rat Duodenum, Jejunum and Ileum

Inositol phosphatase and phytase activities in different segments of the rat small intestine were measured during postnatal development. In the duodenum and jejunum, inositol phosphatase activity (units/g tissue) was low during the suckling period and increased at weaning, reaching a peak of activity at 4 weeks of age. In the ileum, peak activity was observed during the suckling period with a sharp decline at weaning. Phytase activity was very low during the suckling period in all segments, and increased to exhibit a peak at 4 weeks of age in the duodenum, and to a lesser extent in the jejunum (low activity was maintained in the ileum). The content of inositol phosphatase activity in the duodenum increased rapidly during the suckling period to reach its maximum at 4 weeks of age. This suggests a relationship to cell proliferation rate in the small intestinal mucosa.