Because of the differences in the data concerning the mechanism by which gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP) is secreted following fat ingestion, we were prompted to investigate the characteristics of the GIP response to the triacylglycerol components in normal dogs. Oral administration of glycerol (1 g/kg) slightly elevated the blood glucose levels but not the plasma GIP. Palmitate (1 g/kg) administration did not change the blood glucose whereas the plasma GIP was increased remarkably and remained elevated at 120 min. Oral administration of tricaprylin (2 g/kg) did not elicit any discernible changes in the blood glucose nor in the plasma GIP. Column chromatography of plasma obtained from a dog after palmitate ingestion revealed three GIP-immunoreactive peaks: one peak corresponding to the authentic GIP, one to the large molecular weight peak, and one to the small molecular weight peak. Similar results were obtained with the plasma collected after fat ingestion. From the present study, it would appear that hydrolysis of triacylglycerol plays an important role in GIP release from the intestine. Furthermore, it is concluded that the long chain fatty acids stimulate GIP release whereas the medium chain fatty acids do not.