Corn and Esophagogastric Ulcers In

E SOPHAGOGASTRIC ulcers in swine have attracted the attention of swine producers and scientists in recent years because of their apparent increased frequency of occurrence or because of increased awareness of the condition. Various studies and surveys have shown from about 1% (Hoorens et al., 1965) to 55% (Perry et al., 1963) incidence of esophagogastric ulcers in swine. If one considers the various preulcerous lesions in the nonglandular region of the stomach together with chronic or acute ulcers, almost all reports agree that the prevalence of this disease is sufficient to warrant serious concern. Perry et al. (1963) reported a high incidence of esophagogastric ulcers and deaths due to ulcers in pigs fed a gelatinized corn product. This finding was confirmed by Nuwer et al. (1965) when unsuccessful attempts were made to alleviate the ulcerogenic activity of gelatinized corn by additions of various nutrients and additives. Riker et al. (1964) noted that other grains were more ulcerogenic when gelatinized by the expansion process than in the raw form. The objective of the research reported in this paper was to identify the ulcerogenic activity of expanded (gelatinized) corn with the endosperm, germ, or bran fraction of the corn grain.