The mechanisms controlling cell division in the stomach are still unknown. Among the procedures available for determining kinetic parameters in the mucosa, autoradiographic methods with 3H-thymidine are the most widely used. As yet, they have allowed observation of two basic control factors in the gastric mucosa: A tissue specific inhibitory substance of mitotic activity called ‘gastric chalone’ and a stimulating hormone released after food ingestion, which is most probably gastrin. Other possible factors are now to be further investigated.