Effect of metabolic disorders accompanying gastroenteritis on the pancreatic exocrine function in piglets. C. Histopathological and immunohistochemical changes in the pancreas of piglets with gastroenteritis.

The study was performed on 20 piglets of both sexes. The control group consisted of 10 healthy piglets, the experimental, group included 10 piglets with symptoms of gastroenteritis. All the animals were subjected to euthanasia at the age of 21 or 35 days (weaning), or 7 days after weaning, and immunohistochemical and histopathological examinations were performed on all of them. Immunohistochemical examinations of the experimental piglets included additional tests made on five piglets with gastroenteritis, characterized by poor general condition. Histopathological examinations of the pancreas revealed retrogressive changes, which might result from hemodynamic disorders. Changes in the localization of SOM and VIP found in the pancreas suggested inhibition of pancreatic enzyme synthesis in piglets with diarrhea. The co-localization of GAL and dopamine beta-hydroxylase (D beta H--a key enzyme of the noradrenaline synthesis pathway) in perivascular nerve fibers could lead to considerable vasospasms in the pancreas, resulting in deeper hypoxia of the organ. Immunohistochemical and histopathological examinations confirmed the results of biochemical analyses, indicating failure of the pancreatic exocrine function in piglets with gastroenteritis.