Summary1. The amounts of crude gastrin extract and the gastrin activities of extracts from antral mucosa of several mammalian species have been determined. 2. The yield of crude gastrin powder per gramme wet weight of antral mucosa was greater in goats and rabbits than in cat, dog, man or pig. 3. Statistical differences do not appear to exist between the potencies of gastrin from the various species. The potencies of the powders were within the ranges 1X2-1 8 ,ug porcine gastrin 1I/mg with the exception of the extract from frozen dog antra (08 ug/mg). 4. During prolonged freezing of animal antra and consequent thawing before extraction, significant losses in gastrin activity occurred in the dog. 5. The amounts of gastrin activity per gramme wet weight of antral mucosa from herbivores (goat, rabbit and cattle) were greater than those from nonherbivores (cat, dog, man and pig).
IntroductionThe isolation of the hormone gastrin, the elucidation of its structure and the more comprehensive characterization of its activities have now placed the endocrine function of some cells of the gastric antrum beyond doubt. The work in the Pavlovian School reported by Babkin (1928) and investigations of other workers have shown that meat extracts and some other constituents of food, stimulate the release of the antral hormone, thus the gastrin content of the antral mucosa may reflect the dietary habit of the animal. The present paper is concerned with a comparative study of the gastrin activity extracted from the antral mucosa of various mammals including carnivores (dog and cat), herbivores (cattle, rabbit and goat) and omnivores (hog and man).