CARBOHYDRASE ACTIVITY IN THE PANCREAS AND SMALL INTESTINE OF MOOSE AND CATTLE

Abstract

Moose (Alces alces) are difficult to keep in captivity an often die of apparent digestive problems. It has been hypothesized that some of the problem may stem from an inability to produce adequate quantities of the enzymes necessary to digest the starch contained in cereal grains formulated into synthetic diets. We tested this hypothesis by quantifying concentrations of the important enzymes found in the pancreas and small intestine of 2 moose. We compared these values to a grain fed steer. Pancreatic α-amylase concentrations were higher in moose (4,228 μmol·g tissue^-1·min^-1) than the steer (1,104 μmol·g tissue^-1·min^-1), and intestinal maltase concentrations were similar between moose (0.33 μmol·g tissue^-1·min^-1) and the steer (0.47 μmol·g tissue^-1·min^-1). Additionally, moose produced concentrations of isomaltase (0.6 μmol·g tissue^-1·min^-1) at a rate similar to values published for cattle (0.4-0.6 μmol·g tissue^-1·min^-1). Only lactase values were lower in moose than cattle. Although our sample size was small, these data suggest that moose are quite capable of producing the enzymes necessary for the breakdown of both starch and disaccharides.