[Effects of lethal overexposure on gastric secretion in the pig]

The characteristics of gastric secretion following acute gamma exposure (1500 rd) were studied in pigs with a small Pavlov stomach. Spontaneous secretion was practically inhibited when the animals were taken out of the irradiation cell. It slowly recovered in the following hours and its pH, first neutral, turned acid again. However, till the third day, it did not recover normal characteristics. The excretion of sodium ions was much increased. Under histaminic stimulation, the responses of irradiated pigs and controls were much similar. The secretory capacities of the gastric mucosa were retained but without spontaneous manifestations. As a conclusion, the early troubles following overexposure must be the consequences of regulation disorders rather than of the direct action of radiation on the stomach.