The intestinal absorption of glucose, a metabolizable sugar and of xylose, a non-metabolizable sugar, was studied in adrenalectomized, in sham-operated, in non-operated fasted, and in non-operated non-fasted rats. Cannulated loops of jejunum were used in situ in nembutalized rats. The fasted animals were deprived of food for 48 hrs. In the operated groups absorption was detd. 72 hrs. after operation. The absorption of glucose in adrenalectomized rats even though on a NaCl supplement was decreased, whereas that of xylose was not. Sham-operated rats showed a like decrease in the absorption of glucose. The food intake of both adrenalectomized and sham-operated rats decreased post-operatively. Restriction of food intake or fasting in itself decreased absorption of glucose but not of xylose in non-operated animals. The reduction of food intake, induced by postoperative anorexia, and the surgical manipulation possibly account for the decrease in the absorption of glucose in adrenalectomized animals. It is probable that anorexia alone can account for it.