Location and secretion of gastric intrinsic factor in the sheep

The site of production and secretion of intrinsic factor (IF) in the sheep has been studied using a human auto-antibody directed against IF. Immunofluorescent studies indicated the abomasal parietal cell was the source of IF in the sheep. Concentrations of IF in pure gastric secretion of sheep were relatively stable at 3 to 4 iu/ml and it was estimated that the total abomasal output of IF was 10,000 to 23,500 iu per 24 hours.