Compensatory increase in lactase expression by enterocytes of neonatal pigs on a low energy intake.

A restricted energy intake in the immediate postnatal period has been found to result in a significant increase in the maximal expression of lactase by enterocytes from 2-week-old pigs. Although villus size was significantly reduced on a low compared with a high food intake, total villus lactase activity was unaffected because of the compensatory increase in lactase expression by individual enterocytes.