EPITHELIAL-CELL PROLIFERATION AND MIGRATION IN DEVELOPING RAT GASTRIC-MUCOSA

Abstract

To investigate cell proliferation in developing gastric antrum and fundus, proliferating gastric epithelial cells were labeled in fetal rats by intravenously injecting mothers with [3H]thymidine. In addition 14-day postnatal (dPN) rats were given [3H]thymidine intraperitoneally. Tissue was removed 1.5 hr later, and autoradiographs were prepared to identify proliferating cells. Total epithelial labeling indices (L.I.) reached a peak at 20 days gestation (dG), coincident with the appearance of pit/glands, then declined again by 22 dG (gestation end). At 18 dG, labeled cells were distributed throughout all levels of the stratified epithelia. Between 20 and 22 dG, as pit/gland development procee..