Proximal duodenal mucosal bicarbonate secretion is an important factor in the pathogenesis of duodenal ulcer disease. To examine the central nervous system regulation of duodenal bicarbonate secretion, an animal model was developed that allowed cerebroventricular and intravenous injections as well as collection of duodenal perfusates in awake, freely moving rats. The hypothalamic peptide corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and stress (physical restraint) significantly stimulated duodenal bicarbonate secretion. These responses were abolished by pretreatment of the animals with the CRF receptor antagonist alpha-helical CRF-(9-41), hypophysectomy, and naloxone. In contrast, blockade of autonomic efferents by surgical and pharmacological means did not prevent the stimulatory effects of stress and CRF. Intravenous, but not cerebroventricular, administration of beta-endorphin that produced plasma concentrations of beta-endorphin that were similar to those produced by exogenous CRF and stress significantly stimulated duodenal bicarbonate secretion. These results indicate that endogenous CRF released during stress and exogenously administered CRF stimulate duodenal bicarbonate secretion by release of beta-endorphin from the pituitary, thus, demonstrating a functional hypothalamus-pituitary-gut axis.