Development of Gastrin Activity

Abstract

The authors observed an inter-dependence between age and the presence of gastrin activity in the stomachs of rats. They did not find gastrin activity at birth nor in the suckling period of neo-natal rats. Gastrin activity begins to increase in the weaning period and increases steadily with age. A temporary decline takes place during the period of adolescence, at the beginning of sexual maturation. The possible role of gastrin in the pathogenesis of human peptic ulcer is discussed.

Key-words:

• Gastrin
• ontogenesis
• peptic ulcer
• rat stomach