Production of Duodenal Ulcers and Hypertrophic Pyloric Stenosis by Administration of Pentagastrin to Pregnant and Newborn Dogs

Abstract

Emås and Grossman¹ have produced duodenal ulcers in cats by continuous intravenous infusion of porcine gastrin, and Gobbel and Adkins² have produced similar lesions in guinea-pigs by prolonged administration of porcine gastrin in a gelatine base. Pentagastrin (N-t-butyloxycarbonyl-B-alanyl-L-tryptophyl-L-methionyl-L-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine amide) is a synthetic substance of which the terminal tetrapeptide is identical with that of natural gastrins, and with physiological effects that resemble those of the natural substance³. Pure pentagastrin powder was suspended in a 10 per cent mixture of beeswax in arachis oil, in a concentration of 8 mg/ml., and stored in a domestic refrigerator. It was given subcutaneously to two pregnant bitches and to some of their offspring, and also to the pups of a third, untreated bitch.