Gastric mucinous secretion under various conditions of stimulation in hypothyroid dogs

Principal glycoproteins and amino acids of the secretions from Heidenhain pouches, were studied in normothyroid and hypothyroid Labrador dogs in the resting state, following injection of pentagastrin, histamine and after feeding. Hypothyroidism was produced by total thyroidectomy and chronic treatment with thiouracil. All samples showed the presence of galactose, glucosamine, galactosamine, fucose, mannose, uronic acid and sulfate. Galactose and glucosamine were found in equimolar amounts and the galactose to galactosamine ratio was 2:1. Concentrations of most carbohydrate components studied were higher in normothyroid than in hypothyroid dogs. Concentrations of most amino acids analyzed were also higher in normothyroid than in hypothyroid dogs, following stimulation with secretagogues.