Effect of epidermal growth factor on glucosamine-6-phosphate synthetase activity in the colon of neonatal mice.

Epidermal growth factor (EGF), administered subcutaneously to neonatal mice at daily doses of 1,2 and 4 micrograms/g body weight for 3 days, significantly increased glucosamine-6-phosphate synthetase activity in the colon. A single injection of EGF at doses of 2 and 4 micrograms/g body weight also significantly increased enzyme activity. When administered to mature mice, EGF (4 micrograms/g body weight for 3 days) had no apparent effect on the enzyme activity. From these results, we suggest that EGF acts as a trophic factor for the maturation of the colonic mucosa of neonatal mice.