The role of hepatic autonomic nerves in glucose production during hypoglycemia was studied. Selective, surgical denervation of the liver was performed in rats, which reduced hepatic norepinephrine concentrations by 96%. Hypoglycemia was induced by 250 mU of insulin intra-arterially in anesthetized as well as in chronically catheterized, awake rats. Half of the anesthetized denervated or sham-operated rats had previously been adrenodemedullated. Glucose turnover was measured by primed, constant intravenous infusion of [3-3H]glucose. Before as well as during hypoglycemia the arterial glucose concentration and rates of production and utilization of glucose were similar in denervated rats and control rats. Also hepatic glycogen depletion was similar in the groups. The lack of effect of denervation could not be ascribed to compensating changes in hormone or substrate levels. In adrenodemedullated rats lack of glucose recovery from hypoglycemia was accompanied by delayed normalization of glucose clearance. In fed rats, activity in hepatic autonomic nerves is not a primary mechanism increasing glucose production during acute hypoglycemia. Epinephrine enhances glucose recovery by decreasing glucose clearance rather than by increasing glucose production, at least when glucagon is present.