A chronic gastrostomy and test system for evaluation of gastric secretions in rhesus monkeys.

We have developed a test system for the evaluation of gastric secretion in the rhesus monkey on a chronic basis that does not require the usual restraining techniques. The system is characterized by ease of animal maintenance and handling, reliability in introducing test substances into the stomach, and long term postsurgical stability. The system comprises a surgical preparation whereby the gastrostomy tube is inserted permanently in the stomach, is passed subcutaneously up the back, and is exteriorized at the top of the skull, and a training procedure that conditions the monkeys so as to facilitate easy handling during the administration of test substances and the collection of gastric controls. Values for pH, volume, total acid, and acid concentration appear reasonably consistent under base-line (no test substance) conditions as well as after the intragastric administration of water or the subcutaneous injection of Histalog.