The endocrine cells of the upper gut mucosa in dogs with transplantation of the pyloric antrum to the colon

Summary A previous examination, done by others, of the endocrine cells of the canine pyloric antrum following its transplantation to the colon evidenced an increase in their number; the cell types involved, however, were not individualized. The present study further characterizes the changes occurring in the endocrine cells of the pyloric antrum of dogs following transplantation to the colon. The main change observed consists of hyperplasia of the enterochromaffin cells, with minor qualitative modifications in the antral gastrin-producing cells being noted only by electron microscopy. The response of the enterochromaffin cells cannot be readily explained but might be related to similar enterochromaffin cell hyperplasias found in human stomachs with peptic ulcers. Antrum transplantation to the colon in dogs appears to provide a promising experimental model for the study of the relationship between gastrin and other humoral factors (probably biogenic amines) in the mechanism of gastric secretion under normal as well as abnormal circumstances.Supported by a grant from the Medical Research Council of Canada. While performing this research, Dr. J. Lechago was a recipient of a fellowship from the Medical Research Council of Canada.