In previous studies, we have shown that a relatively large amount of low density lipoproteins is released into the perfusate during isolated pig liver perfusion. The present studies were done to determine the source of these lipoproteins. Breakdown of the very low density lipoproteins to low density lipoproteins by the perfusion apparatus or by hepatic catabolism was excluded by adding 125I very low density lipoproteins to the perfusate in the presence and absence of a liver and then measuring the radioactivity in the low density lipoprotein fraction after rate-zonal ultracentrifugation. Release of preformed low density, lipoproteins from the liver was investigated by injecting iodine-labeled low density lipoproteins in vivo several hours prior to perfusion of the liver and then measuring the release of labeled low density lipoproteins into the perfusate. It was shown that intact labeled low density lipoproteins were released by the perfused liver. De novo synthesis of the low density lipoproteins was established by measuring the incorporation of [1-14C]leucine into this lipoprotein fraction. The radioactivity in the low density lipoprotein fraction increased with time and accounted for 20 to 25% of the total radioactivity incorporated into all the lipoprotein fractions. The incorporation of [1-14C]leucine into the low density lipoproteins was confirmed by rate-zonal analysis. We conclude that the low density lipoproteins in the perfusate from pig liver perfusions were derived mainly from a preformed liver pool, but also partly from de novo synthesis by the liver.