Hormonal regulation of glycogen metabolism in hepatocyte suspensions isolated from chicken embryos.

1. A method is described for efficient and rapid isolation of viable hepatocyte suspensions from chick embryos in the last few days of incubation. 2. Although qualitatively similar, quantitative differences exist in the hormonal control of glycogen metabolism between embryonic and hatched chicks. 3. Glucagon and adrenaline activate glycogenolysis. 4. Insulin did not inhibit basal or glucagon-stimulated glycogenolysis. 5. Phenylephrine (an alpha-adrenergic agonist), angiotensin and vasopressin, all of which activate glycogen breakdown in rat liver through a Ca2+-dependent mechanism, were without effect on chick embryo hepatocytes.