The effect of antral denervation on gastric secretion in the dog

Abstract The effect on gastric secretion of cutting the antral nerves was studied in dogs with a previous complete proximal gastric vagotomy, with an incomplete proximal gastric vagotomy and with otherwise intact vagi. There was no change in insulin- and pentagastrin-stimulated acid output in dogs with a previous vagotomy. The dog with otherwise intact vagi showed no change in insulin-stimulated acid output but there was a diminished acid response to low doses of pentagastrin. These results, if confirmed in man, would suggest that the antral vagal nerves have no clinically significant effect on gastric acid secretion.