%0 Journal Article %9 journal article %J Journal of Animal and Feed Sciences %@ 1230-1388 %V 16 %N 3 %D 2007 %F Słupecka2007 %T Preliminary results on exogenous ghrelin administration via stomach tube influence on the crypt cell proliferation in the small intestine mucosa of neonatal piglets %X The aim of this study was to investigate the exogenous ghrelin effect on proliferation in the small intestinal mucosa, body and organs weight of neonatal piglets. Four groups (n=6) of pig neonates were examined: sow reared (C7SR), fed with milk formula (C7), fed with milk formula + ghrelin administrated via stomach tube in the dose of: 7.5 μg/kg body weight (BW) (G7.5) and 15 μg/kg BW (G15). Milk formula feeding (C7) strongly decreased mitotic rate in all parts of jejunum as compared to C7SR. Ghrelin treatment (G7.5) had a pro mitotic effect on the middle part of the small intestine (P<0.0001) as compared to C7. G15 treatment strongly increased the mitotic activity as compared to C7 (P<0.0001) and C7SR (P<0.0001). Unlike other forms of treatment in G15 mitotic activity was constant along all parts of small intestine. Moreover, ghrelin treatment decreased BW and increased stomach weight. In conclusion, exogenous ghrelin administrated in the dose of 15 μg/kg BW for 6 days resulted in the increase of the crypt cell proliferation in the small intestine mucosa of neonatal piglets. %A Słupecka, M. %A Woliński, J. %P 445-451 %R 10.22358/jafs/66800/2007 %U https://doi.org/10.22358/jafs/66800/2007