Spontaneous and bile salt stimulated bile secretion in the Adelie penguin (Pygoscelis adeliae)

The flow rate and ionic composition of bile during spontaneous secretion were measured in anaesthetized penguins in which the enterohepatic circulation had been interrupted and with i.v. injection of saline to replace secretory loss. During the first two hours the rate of flow increased, and then remained relatively constant for a further two and a half hours. During this time the concentration of bile salt fell, but the concentrations of other ions showed small fluctuations only. Sodium taurocholate increased the rate of bile flow and the excretion of ions, except that of bicarbonate. Sodium taurolithocholate initially produced cholestasis but later apparently increased bile flow and had an overall choleretic effect. It is suggested that the active excretion of bicarbonate ions by the bile ducts is the predominant regulator of bile secretion in the penguin.