Thyrocalcitonin: stimulation of secretion by pentagastrin.

Administration of a small dose of pentagastrin, a synthetic pentapeptide containing the biologically active portion of the native hormone gastrin, results in a marked, rapid, transitory increase in thyrocalcitonin secretion in the pig. Gastrin or a related gastrointestinal peptide may be important in the physiological secretion of thyrocalcitonin, such as that which occurs when calcium salts are introduced into the gastrointestinal tract.