Simultaneous infusion of [6-3H]glucose and [U-14C]lactate was used to calculate the turnover rate of glucose, the irreversible replacement rate of lactate, and the rates of the exchange of carbon atoms between glucose and lactate in free-swimming American eels (Anguilla rostrata) fed or food deprived for 6, 15, and 36 (maturing) mo. The mean turnover rate of glucose in fed animals averaged 1.0 mg X min-1 X 100 g-1, while the lactate irreversible replacement rate was approximately 4.0 micrograms X min-1 X 100 g-1. The conversion of 35% of lactate carbon to glucose implied a substantial Cori cycle activity, but this amounted to less than 1% of total glucose production. Food deprivation for 6 mo altered few kinetic patterns, except for an increased lactate irreversible replacement rate and a minor increase in gluconeogenesis from lactate. After a 15-mo fast, glucose turnover decreased to 0.09 +/- 0.02 mg X min-1 X 100 g-1. Plasma lactate concentrations and production rates continuously increased during the experiment. Maturing eels that had been food deprived for 36 mo maintained glucose and lactate concentrations and kinetics similar to values in animals food deprived for only 6 mo. This study stresses the importance of carbohydrate in the metabolism of this species under fed and food-deprived conditions and further supports the tolerance of Anguillid species to food deprivation.