LCT and necrotizing enterocolitis: Second, NEC develops spontaneously a few weeks after bacterial colonization, similar to preterm neonates who typically develop NEC during the first weeks of life.2 Moreover, the induction of NEC-like lesions does not require artificial induction of intestinal hypoxia as opposed to other animal models of NEC.46 Third, quails naturally have a very low endogenous lactase activity reflecting preterm neonate immature intestinal lactase activity.