The lack of effect of fasting and alloxan-diabetes on the rate of fatty acid synthesis by some Morris hepatomas.

We have measured fatty acid synthesis (estimated by incorporation of [1-14C] acetate by tissue slices) by 3 transplantable Morris hepatomas of different growth rates--9618A, 7794A and 5123C--in response to fasting and alloxan-diabetes. Fasting did not alter fatty acid synthesis by the 3 hepatomas, bringing to 5 the number of tumors not tested and found similarly insensitive. Diabetes caused reduced fatty acid synthesis in 7794A and 5123C but not by 9618A. Host liver fatty acid synthesis was influenced by the presence of the tumor.