Gastric structure and function in iron-deficient piglets

Gastric motility, secretion and structure were studied in piglets which were weaned at two weeks of age and reared in iron-free cages on a low-iron diet. Piglets which were not given iron parenterally rapidly developed iron deficiency anaemia. Gastric motility was studied fluoroscopically after dosing the piglets with barium sulphate. Gastric secretion was studied in piglets with gastric cannulae after stimulation with betazole hydrochloride. There was no difference between iron-treated and iron-deprived pigs in the motility of the stomach but in iron-deprived animals there was marked impairment of acid and chloride secretion from an early age and histological evidence of atrophic gastritis.