An Investigation of the Essential Fatty Acid Activity of Some of the Geometrical Isomers of Unsaturated Fatty Acids

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Abstract
Essential fatty acid (EFA) deficiency was developed in weanling male rats by feeding them a diet deficient in essential fatty acids for approximately 12 weeks. The animals were then divided into groups and given supplements of cis,cis linoleate, cis,trans linoleate, trans,trans linoleate, oleate, or elaidate either alone or in addition to cis,cis linoleate. On the basis of gain in body weight it is concluded that only cis,cis linoleate possesses EFA activity. However, the inactive acids did not interfere with the utilization of dietary cis,cis linoleate. Spermatogenesis was normal in the EFA-deficient animals. The status of our knowledge of the EFA activity of the geometrical isomers of unsaturated fatty acids is reviewed.