SUMMARYThe number of G-and D-cells per area and the ratio of G/D-cells were investigated in biopsy specimens of the pyloric antrum from normochlorhydric subjects without peptic ulcer, from patients with duodenal ulcer, gastrinoma, pernicious anaemia, and after selective proximal vagotomy. Compared with normochlorhydric subjects antral G-cell density was significantly raised in pernicious anaemia, unchanged in duodenal ulcer, and diminished in gastrinoma patients. After vagotomy G-cell density was found to be raised if compared with patients with duodenal ulcer. D-cell density was significantly increased in gastrinoma patients, unchanged in duodenal ulcer, and diminished in pernicious anaemia and after vagotomy. The G/D-cell ratio was increased in pernicious anaemia and after vagotomy, unchanged in duodenal ulcer, and decreased in gastrinoma patients. It is concluded that the antral pH governs the ratio of G-and D-cells. Therefore, the G/D-cell ratio increases in states of reduced acid secretion and decreases in massive hyperchlorhydria. Hypergastrinaemia as such does not affect the G/D-cell ratio.A physiological role of the somatostatin-producing D-cells in the gastric mucosa has not been established. Regulation of gastric acid secretion has been suggested, because exogenous somatostatin inhibits basal and stimulated gastric acid secretion' and somatostatin is released into veins draining the antrum and the fundus. (Regulatory Peptides 1980; suppl.

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