The IPEC-1 newborn swine intestinal epithelial cell line was used to determine the effects of the uptake of various fatty acids on the secretion of apolipoprotein (apo) B and apo A-I, as well as triglyceride and phospholipid. Long-chain saturated fatty acids were taken up and stimulated triglyceride synthesis, and palmitic (16:0) and stearic (18:0) acids also stimulated phospholipid synthesis. However, these fatty acids did not enhance triglyceride, phospholipid, or apo B or apo A-I secretion. Oleic acid (18:1) was the most effective of all fatty acids tested in stimulating triglyceride synthesis and the secretion of triglyceride, phospholipid, and apo B. Linoleic (18:2) and linolenic (18:3) acids were no more effective than long-chain saturated fatty acids in stimulating these processes. With saturated fatty acids, apo A-I followed the same secretory pattern as apo B. However, among the unsaturated fatty acids, oleic acid was the least effective and linolenic acid was the most effective in stimulating apo A-I secretion. Basolateral secretion of lipid and apolipoproteins by differentiated IPEC-1 cells is differentially regulated by apical exposure to fatty acids.