Serum zinc levels in sheep with experimental pancreatic abnormalities.

Serum zinc levels were measured in sheep before and after total pancreatectomy, pancreatic duct ligation, alloxan treatment, and pancreatic biopsy. Values were elevated after each procedure, but only total pancreatectomy and pancreatic duct ligation caused a significant increase (t = 3.5, p less than 0.05; t = 2.8, p less than 0.05, respectively). These effects were not due to changes in serum proteins. The results are consistent with a model in which the pancreas removes zinc from blood and subsequently eliminates it via the pancreatic duct. Facilitation of intestinal absorption of zinc by pancreatic products and effects of insulin on serum zinc are less significant.