Regulation of Output of Electrolytes in Bile and Pancreatic Juice in Sheep

Abstract

Bile and pancreatic juice were collected from conscious, standing sheep with fistulae of the common bile duct, before and during infusions of secretin to the portal vein, and during infusion of acid to the duodenum. The output of volume and electrolytes, particularly bicarbonate, in bile and in pancreatic juice increased during infusion of secretin. However, the output of volume and of bicarbonate was three to five times higher in bile than in pancreatic juice. When acid was infused into the duodenum a similar result was obtained, and the increment in total bicarbonate output was similar to the amount of acid infused.