Cephalic phase response of pancreatic exocrine secretion in conscious dogs

The effects of three taste solutions on the cephalic phase of pancreatic secretion were studied in conscious dogs. Male beagle dogs weighing 9-11 kg were prepared with gastric and duodenal fistulas. Gustatory receptors were stimulated for 5 min with 100 ml of 0.5% agar solutions containing 0.05, 0.12, and 0.3 M of either sodium chloride, sucrose, or monosodium glutamate (MSG). Pancreatic juice was collected every 5 min before and after stimulation, and volume flow and protein output were measured. Pancreatic secretory responses were found to vary with the type of taste stimulus. Sucrose was a better stimulus than MSG for both protein output and volume flow. Taste stimulation with sodium chloride produced a lower pancreatic response than those with sucrose or MSG.