Influence of diet on (n-3) and (n-6) fatty acids in monkey erythrocytes.

Cynomolgus monkeys were fed oils high in linoleic acid or with half of the linoleic acid replaced by either (n-3) linolenic acid or marine fatty acids. When the diet contained similar quantities of linoleic and (n-3) linolenic acid, erythrocyte fatty acids maintained a ratio of (n-6) to (n-3) fatty acids of approximately 2:4. Fatty acids from menhaden oil enhanced the incorporation of eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids into the monkey erythrocytes, the composition of which was not altered by additional alpha-tocopherol.