Epithelial cell proliferation and migration in the 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..