Effect of epidermal growth factor on growth and maturation of fetal and neonatal rat small intestine in organ culture.
Small intestinal explants from pre- and post-natal rats were incubated in an organ culture system in the absence and presence of epidermal growth factor (EGF). The rate of synthesis of small intestinal DNA and protein as well as the activity of lactase and alkaline phosphatase increased rapidly between 17 and 20-day gestational age, whereafter they declined. The maximal incorporation of 3H-thymidine and 14C-alanine into DNA and protein, respectively, was significantly stimulated by EGF (100 ng/ml). EGF had no effect on the activity of either lactase or alkaline phosphatase in the small intestinal explants.
D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D004247:DNA / Q000096:biosynthesis; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005865:Gestational Age; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000187:drug effects / Q000196:embryology / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism; D009924:Organ Culture Techniques; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D001616:beta-Galactosidase / Q000378:metabolism
D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor; D004247:DNA; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase; D001616:beta-Galactosidase