Effect of splanchnectomy and vagotomy on the pepsinogen response to intragastric acid

Perfusion of the stomach in the anaesthetized rat with saline acidified to pH 2.5 with hydrochloric acid induced a small but significant release of pepsinogen into the perfusate. This stimulus to secretion was unaffected by splanchnectomy but was abolished by vagotomy. It is concluded that a modest degree acid secretion in the rat may stimulate pepsinogen secretion by a vagal pathway.