In the present study we examined the effect of extrinsic pancreatic denervation on meal-stimulated pancreatic exocrine secretion and the release of neurotensin and CCK in dogs. Denervation of the pancreas significantly decreased protein output from preoperatively 16,661 +/- 1824 mg x 150 min to 2033 +/- 316 mg x 150 min postoperatively (p less than 0.001), and bicarbonate secretion from 297.5 +/- 36 mmol x 150 min to 104.85 +/- 16 mmol x 150 min (p less than 0.01). Release of neurotensin and CCK was not altered by interruption of the extrinsic pancreatic nerves. Our findings are consistent with the hypothesis that pancreatic secretory response to a meal is predominantly mediated by neutral extrinsic reflexes.