Abstract:Segmental distribution and ontogenetic regulation of peptide transporter 1 (PepT1) mRNA expression were evaluated in pigs along the horizontal axis of the intestine. A total of 35 littermate purebred Lantang gilts and 35 littermate purebred Landrace gilts were divided into seven groups at the ages of day 1, 7, 26, 30, 60, 90 and 150, respectively. Intestinal segments (duodenum, jejunum, ileum and colon) were collected. The PepT1 mRNA abundance was determined by Real-time RT-PCR using SYBR Green Ⅰ RT-PCR mix Kit. Results showed that the abundance of PepT1 mRNA in duodenum was higher than in jejunum and ileum (P <0.05). There was no PepT1 mRNA expression in colon. The highest expression of PepT1 mRNA was on 7 and 90 d of Lantang and 60 d of Landrace in duodenum, 60 d of Lantang and 90 d of Landrace in jejunum and ileum, respectively (P <0.05). The ontogenetic expression of PepT1 mRNA in intestine of Lantang and Landrace pigs was similarly during post-weaning (weaning on 28 d) period. The expression patterns of PepT1 mRNA in jejunum and ileum were similar after post-weaning. Abundance of PepT1 mRNA in duodenum and jejunum of Lantang pigs on 7 and 90 d in duodenum, 7 and 60 d in jejunum and 30 d in ileum was higher than in corresponding segment of Landrace pigs. The results indicated that PepT1 mRNA expression can be regulated by developmental stage, breed and segment of intestine in pigs.