The effects of neurotensin on pancreatic exocrine secretion were examined i
n fasted, conscious White Leghorn hens. A cannula was surgically implanted
in the central duct serving the ventral lobe of the pancreas in order to co
llect pure pancreatic juice. Following recovery, neurotensin was infused in
travenously at 3.6 or 10.8 pmol/kg*min. The volume and pH of the pancreatic
secretions were recorded and total pancreatic protein concentration, amyla
se, lipase, trypsin, and chymotrypsin activity were measured every 30 min f
or 2 hr and compared to secretions following the infusion of 0.9% saline. O
ur results demonstrated that neurotensin did not affect the pH nor the panc
reatic juice protein concentration, but did increase secretion rate followi
ng neurotensin infusion at 3.6 pmol/kg*min. Amylase activity was significan
tly depressed during neurotensin infusions, while lipase (both pancreatic a
nd carboxylester lipase) activity was significantly elevated. The ratio of
amylase to lipase activity was especially depressed by neurotensin infusion
at 10.8 pmol/kg*min. Insufficient secretory activity prevented a balanced
statistical analysis of chymotrypsin activity, but from a pooled analysis,
neurotensin had no effect on protease activity in the pancreatic juice. The
se results support our current research indicating that neurotensin may be
a hormonal regulator of postprandial lipid digestion in chickens. J. Exp. Z
ool. 283:455-462, 1999. (C) 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.