Pancreatic endocrine responses to stimulation of the peripheral ends of the splanchnic nerves in the conscious adrenalectomized calf.

1. Certain effects of stimulation of the peripheral ends of both splanchnic nerves have been investigated in unanaesthetized calves, given appropriate adrenal steroid replacement therapy. 2. Splanchnic nerve stimulation at frequencies within the physiological range produced prompt rises in the concentration of glucose, pancreatic glucagon and pancreatic polypeptide in the arterial plasma. These responses were followed by a rapid rise in plasma insulin concentration when the stimulus was terminated. The extent of this rise was related to the plasma glucose concentration at that precise point in time. 3. Stimulation at all frequencies tested had no effect on the concentration of vasoactive intestinal peptide in lymph collected from the intestinal duct. 4. The results are discussed in relation to those obtained in previous studies in anaesthetized calves of the same age.