THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TAUROCHOLATE SECRETION RATE AND BILE PRODUCTION IN THE UNANESTHETIZED DOG DURING CHOLINERGIC BLOCKADE AND DURING SECRETIN ADMINISTRATION*

Abstract

The output of water and of the major electrolytes in bile was approximately proportional to the excretion rate of taurocholate (maintained by intravenous infusion of 1. 3% sodium taurocholate) during cholinergic blockade with pipenzolate methylbromide. Extrapolation of this rela- tionship suggests bile flows close to zero in the absence of bile salt secretion. Consistent increments in HCO3-, Cl-and water excretion were elicited during secretion administration. These results support the view that bile is formed by the combined activity of two major mechanisms: active secretion of bile salts; independent elaboration of electrolytes and water.