Pancreatic exocrine secretion during and after pregnancy.

Pancreatitis occurring in late pregnancy and in the puerperium has been documented as an entity unrelated to cholelithiasis or hyperlipidemia. Canine pancreatic exocrine function has been studied during pregnancy and the puerperium. Pancreatic secretion was evaluated in eight pregnant female mongrel dogs prepared with Thomas duodenal and gastric fistulae, during pregnancy (corresponding to the third trimester in humans), during the puerperium, and several months after whelping. Basal secretion (volume and HCO3) was increased during pregnancy and the puerperium. The response to exogenous secretin (submaximal and maximal) was unchanged during pregnancy but decreased in the puerperium. Resting enzyme output was increased during pregnancy and the puerperium; the responses to cholecystokinin-pancreozymin during pregnancy were even more profoundly increased. Although the mechanism is speculative, these alterations in pancreatic function might contribute to the development of pancreatitis in pregnancy and the puerperium.