Aspects of the physio-pathology of parasitic gastritis in the sheep.

Sheep and calves prepared with separated, innervated pouches made from the acid secreting region of the abomasum were given single or multiple infections of Ostertagia spp and comparisons were made of the secretory changes of parasitised and non-parasitised mucosa by means of cannulas placed in the abomasum and pouch. Contrary reactions of the parasite-free pouches and infected main part of the abomasum are described and explained in terms of a two-part hypothesis. The inhibitory effect on acid secretion of the abomasum (resulting in its contents being pH 5 to 7) was postulated to be due to the direct suppressive effects of substances released locally by parasites or injured host tissues, whereas increased secretion of the hormone, gastrin, was thought to account for the stimulatory effects of infection on acid secretion from the pouches. In sheep treated with anthelmintic and then reinfected the inhibitory effects on abomasal pH were not obtained. The hypersecretion from the pouches still persisted.