Although studies have indicated that the small intestine is capable of utilizing endogenous substrates for triglyceride synthesis in the absence of dietary lipid, the importance of the endogenous contribution to total intestinal triglyceride production during absorption has not yet been defined. In this study we have examined the quantitative contribution of endogenous triglyceride production during different luminal lipid loads. By use of a mesenteric lymph fistula rat model with total parenteral nutritional support, mesenteric lymphatic triglyceride transport was investigated. Our results indicate that, during absorption, a substantial fraction (greater than 50%) of total triglyceride is derived from endogenous sources. Increased luminal fatty acid loads lead to an increase in both endogenous and exogenous triglyceride production. Incorporation of luminally infused oleic acid into triglyceride carried by chylomicrons is dependent on the luminal fatty acid load, while incorporation of oleic acid into very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) triglyceride is saturable. We conclude that both chylomicron and VLDL are involved in transporting triglyceride derived from both endogenous and exogenous sources. The different patterns in the partition of endogenous and exogenous triglyceride into chylomicrons and VLDL suggest that these two lipid-carrying lipoproteins are probably packaged differently in the small intestine.