Effects of intravenous injection of butyrate, valerate and their isomers on endocrine pancreatic responses in conscious sheep (Ovis aries).

1. The effects of intravenous injection of n-butyrate, iso-butyrate, n-valerate and iso-valerate on insulin and glucagon secretion was examined in conscious sheep. 2. Each sodium salt of the short chain fatty acids increased plasma insulin and glucagon concentrations in a dose-dependent manner (312-1250 mumol/kg body wt). 3. Both butyrate and valerate isomers with branched carbon chains had larger insulin releasing activity than isomers with straight carbon chains. 4. The glucagon responses to butyrate or valerate did not differ between the isomers with straight carbon chains and those with branched carbon chains. 5. Our results suggest that the receptive mechanism to short chain fatty acids, which may involve the nervous system, differs between the A cell and the B cell in sheep in vivo.