Comparative study of antibacterial activity of pancreatic juice in six mammalian species.

A comparative study of antibacterial activity of pancreatic juice was conducted on six mammalian species. Pancreatic juice collections were conducted as acute (rabbit, guinea pig, rat) and chronic (pig, sheep, cattle) experiments, in the former before and after stimulation [cholecystokinin (CCK) and secretin] and in the latter under basal conditions alone. Antibacterial activity was tested on Micrococcus pyogenes and compared with that of neomycin. The samples were tested under normal conditions and after heating and dilution. The pancreatic juice of rat showed no activity against Micrococcus pyogenes. The antibacterial activity of rabbit and guinea pig pancreatic juice under basal conditions was similar within the group but significantly higher than that of pig, sheep and cattle which also did not differ significantly within the group. On stimulation with CCK and secretin, no significant change could be observed in the potency of antimicrobial activity of pancreatic juice in the rabbit and guinea pig. The antibacterial activity remained unchanged after heating to 65 degrees C and upon dilution to 1:10.