The role of the duodenum in adaptive changes in sucrose digestion in the small intestine of chicks.

In two experimental series in situ applying perfusion technique, and in vitro, the role of the duodenum in adaptation of sucrose digestion was investigated in the proximal, medial and distal parts of the chick small intestine. No adaptive changes occurred in hydrolysis and carbohydrate transport if the pancreo-duodenal complex was isolated from the lower parts. It is suggested that on feeding with sucrose, factors arise in the duodenal mucosa causing adaptive changes in sucrase activity of the small intestine.