We wished to determine whether exogenous glucagon-like peptide (GLP)-2 infusion stimulates intestinal growth in parenterally fed immature pigs. Piglets (106–108 days gestation) were given parenteral nutrient infusion (TPN), TPN + human GLP-2 (25 nmol · kg⁻¹ · day⁻¹), or sow's milk enterally (ENT) for 6 days. Intestinal protein synthesis was then measured in vivo after a bolus dose of [1-¹³C]phenylalanine, and degradation was calculated from the difference between protein accretion and synthesis. Crypt cell proliferation and apoptosis were measured in situ by 5-bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) and terminal dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL), respectively. Intestinal protein and DNA accretion rates and villus heights were similar in GLP-2 and ENT pigs, and both were higher ( P < 0.05) than in TPN pigs. GLP-2 decreased fractional protein degradation rate, whereas ENT increased fractional protein synthesis rate compared with TPN pigs. Percentage of TUNEL-positive cells in GLP-2 and ENT groups was 48 and 64% lower, respectively, than in TPN group ( P < 0.05). However, ENT, but not GLP-2, increased percentage of BrdU-positive crypt cells above that in TPN piglets. We conclude that GLP-2 increases intestinal growth in premature, TPN-fed pigs by decreasing proteolysis and apoptosis, whereas enteral nutrition acts via increased protein synthesis and cell proliferation and decreased apoptosis.