Does corticosterone affect gastric mucosal cell growth during development?

The effect of corticosterone on the growth of the gastric mucosa was investigated during development. The weight of the mucosa and DNA, RNA, and protein content were used as parameters of growth. The pepsinogen content of the oxyntic gland was examined as an indicator of the biological action of corticosterone on development. Corticosterone-treated animals had lower body weights than control animals on days 10-20. This difference was not seen on day 25. Corticosterone administration during the first and second postnatal weeks induced the precocious appearance of pepsinogen in the oxyntic gland mucosa and increased basal acid output. These effects disappeared by day 25. The weight of the mucosa and DNA, RNA, and protein content of the oxyntic gland and antrum increased with age, but corticosterone had no effect on any of these parameters. We conclude that the induction of precocious development of the gastric mucosa by corticosterone is not due to the stimulation of growth.