Distribution of glycinin in the gastrointestinal tissue of pigs at different growth stages

The gastrointestinal distribution of glycinin in pigs at different growth stages was investigated in this study. Fifteen healthy General No. 1 barrows weaned on the 28th day were randomly assigned to three groups with five replicates: five weanling, five growing and five finishing. All pigs received diets with non-soya bean ingredients in non-experimental periods, while the pigs received diets containing 4% purified glycinin in experimental periods. Binding of anti-glycinin antibody was detected using a labelled streptavidin–peroxidase complex method to determine the gastrointestinal distribution of glycinin. The results indicated that there was a significant difference on the gastrointestinal mucosal distribution of glycinin between pigs of different ages. Glycinin in growers was higher than piglets and lower than finishers (P<0.001). The highest content of glycinin was in the distal jejunum and ileum for piglets, and in distal jejunum for growers and finishers (P<0.05).