The effect of antrectomy on gastric acid and gastrin secretion

In three dogs with denervated fundic pouches, ingestion of beef liver test meal increased H+ output and serum gastrin levels during the first hour of the four hour experiment. H+ and serum gastrin output then slowly decreased but did not reach basal values. After antrectomy and gastroduodenal anastomosis, ingestion of the test meal did not lead to the early increase in H+ output and serum gastrin levels. Although serum gastrin levels did not significantly change throughout the four hour experiment, beginning at 80 minutes H+ output slowly increased. The rise in H+ output did not reach preantrectomy values. These results indicate that antrectomy abolishes the early rise in H+ and gastrin secretion in response to a protein test meal. Since gastrin levels did not significantly change throughout the whole experiment, the late increase in H+ output is due to a mechanism other than gastrin release.