Abstract
The conversion of [14C]linoleate to [14C]arachidonate by rat Sertoli cells was established by use of primary cultures. Most of the14C from [1‐14C]linoleate was located in C‐3 of the synthesized arachidonate, indicating that the labeled tetraene had originated largely by elongation and desaturation of the intact labeled substrate rather than by mere addition of14C‐acetate generated by bio‐oxidation of the radioactive substrate to an already existing 18‐carbon precursor. Although a relatively small amount of14C was present in 18∶3ω6 and a relatively large amount of14C was present in 20∶2, it was not possible from these data to establish the relative importance of 20∶2 in the biosynthesis of arachidonic acid in rat Sertoli cells.