Gastric distensibility and age in the mouse

¹ Department of Gastro-Intestinal Research, Medical Research Institute of Michael Reese Hospital, Chicago, Illinois

Gastric distention and age appear to play a role in ulcer formation in the pylorus-ligated mouse. For this reason, distensibility of the stomach of albino Swiss male Rockland R. A. P. mice was investigated. The excised stomach was ligated at the pylorus and saline was injected slowly through a tube in the esophagus. Pressure and maximum volume of saline used to reach the breaking point were determined. Most perforations occurred in the glandular stomach. Gastric perforations in young mice were produced with considerably less pressure and smaller volumes of saline than in older animals. These results may explain previous observations on age differences in ulcer formation and mechanical gastric perforation in the pylorus-ligated mouse. A possible relation between intragastric pressure, circulation and ulceration, is discussed.