The total synthesis and metabolism of 4-decenoate, dodeca-3,6-dienoate, tetradeca-5,8-dienoate and hexadeca-7,10-dienoate in the fat-deficient rat.

Methyl 4-decenoate (10ratio1omega6), methyl dodeca-3,6-dienoate (12ratio2omega6), methyl tetradeca-5,8-dienoate (14ratio2omega6) and methyl hexadeca-7,10-dienoate (16ratio2omega6) were prepared by total synthesis. Rats raised on a fat-deficient diet for 2 1/2 months received 100 mg per day of one of the experimental acids or methyl linoleate for a period of 16 days. The liver lipids were extracted, converted to methyl esters and analyzed by gas-liquid chromatography. Neither 10ratio1omega6 nor 12ratio2omega6 served as biosynthetic precursors for linoleate. Small amounts of 14ratio2omega6 were convered to linoleate while 16ratio2omega6 served as an efficient precursor for linoleate and longer chain omega6 acids. None of the short chain omega6 acids were incorporated directly into liver lipids.