The role of food intake on gastric mucosal growth and gastrin receptors during pregnancy and lactation

We examined the effects of pregnancy and lactation on mucosal growth and the numbers and affinity of gastrin receptors in the oxyntic gland mucosa in rats and compared these with changes in serum gastrin levels and food consumption. Gastric mucosal DNA, RNA, and protein contents were significantly increased during lactation. These changes were not observed in either pregnant or nonlactating rats which had given birth at the same time as the lactating animals. The gastrin-binding capacity of a membrane fraction of the oxyntic mucosa was also increased at the corresponding periods in lactating rats (Days 7, 15, 20). Scatchard plot analysis revealed that the number of gastrin receptors was significantly increased without any change in affinity. Food consumption and levels of serum gastrin remained unaltered in pregnant and non-lactating rats compared to virgin controls, but were significantly increased in lactating rats. Increased serum gastrin levels and gastrin binding capacities in lactating rats (Day 15) were abolished by preventing increased food consumption by means of pair feeding. The results demonstrate that the number of gastrin receptors in the oxyntic mucosa increases during lactation in rats. This increase is probably due to hypergastrinemia caused by increased food intake. The increased number of gastrin receptors may be involved in the mechanism of hypertrophic responses of the gastric mucosa in lactating rats.