The Zinc Content of Bile and Pancreatic Juice in Zinc-Deficient Swine

The content of zinc, magnesium, calcium, bilirubin, and bile acids was determined in the hepatic bile of zinc-deficient and control swine. Zinc deficiency was produced by dietary zinc restriction while pair fed zinc supplemented animals served as controls for observations of hepatobiliary functions. Pigs weighing 5 kg were placed in two groups and fed the respective diets for 6 weeks; hair and skin abnormalities as well as decreased weight gain were present in the zinc-deficient group by this time. Hepatic bile and pancreatic juice were obtained from each animal after careful isolation and cannulation of the pancreatic and bile ducts. Animals were studied for a 3-hr period while under constant secretin stimulation and chloralose anesthesia. During this period, there was a progressive decrease in the biliary concentrations of bilirubin, bile acids, and magnesium in the bile of both groups, while zinc and calcium levels were not altered. The zinc concentrations in pancreatic juice were reduced in th...