Conversion of arachidonic acid in human maternal and neonatal mononuclear leukocytes.

The metabolism of exogenous [1-14C]arachidonic acid in neonatal and maternal peripheral mononuclear leukocytes was studied. Both neonatal and maternal leukocytes converted arachidonic acid to hydroxy acids and to prostaglandin E2, but small amounts of PGF2 alpha and thromboxane B2 were also found. In addition a polar arachidonic acid metabolite with conjugated double bonds was identified in the supernatant from both maternal and neonatal leukocytes. This might be a leukotriene, but further attempts at biochemical characterization are necessary in order to confirm this.