The use of viable hepatocytes to study the hormonal control of glycogenolysis in the chicken.

The rapid isolation of high yields of parenchymal cells from chicken liver is described. Stringent tests of viability show that the isolated hepatocytes are both structurally and metabolically similar to those in intact liver. During incubation viability decreased and the significance of this change on the interpretation of metabolic experiments is discussed. Lactate was a much more effective gluconeogenic precursor than pyruvate even in the presence of additional reducing equivalents. Hepatocytes isolated from fed chickens produced glucose from glycogen degradation. Glycogenolysis was stimulated by glucagon, dibutyryl cyclic AMP and adrenaline. Half maximal glucagon effects were elicited by physiological concentrations of the hormone. Glucagon and dibutyryl cyclic AMP stimulated glucagon, dibutyryl cyclic AMP and adrenaline their action was not additive to that of adrenaline.