In normal man oxytocin infusion under basal conditions and at pharmacological doses evoked a rapid surge in plasma glucose and glucagon levels followed by a later increase in plasma insulin levels. Simultaneous [D-3H]glucose infusion indicated that oxytocin also produced a prompt and significant increase in hepatic glucose output with a secondary increase in glucose disappearance rate. Eight healthy volunteers were studied during euglycemic glucose clamp and simultaneous [D-3H]glucose infusion, during suppression of endogenous pancreatic secretion by cyclic somatostatin (250 micrograms/h) and during exogenous glucagon (67 ng/min) and insulin (0.15 mU.kg-1.min-1 from 0 to 120 min and 0.40 mU.kg-1.min-1 from 121 to 240 min) replacement. During the first 60 min oxytocin (0.2 U/min) evoked a transient but significant increase in plasma glucose levels and hepatic glucose output with a simultaneous suppression of the glucose infusion rate. No difference in glucose disappearance and metabolic clearance rates were recorded throughout the clamp irrespective of whether oxytocin was infused or not. So we conclude that oxytocin exerts a hyperglycemic effect through an A-cell stimulation and a glycogenolytic action.