Comparative fatty acid composition of lipids from tubular and interstitial cells of rat testicles.

Leydig cells and tubules of rat testes were separated by a gentle procedure. The fatty acid composition of each fraction was analyzed by gas liquid chromatography. The fraction containing the interstitial tissue was richer in myristic, palmitoleic, stearic, oleic and linoleic acids whereas tubules contained more palmitic, arachidonic, and docosa-4,7,10,13,16-pentaenoic acid. The specific predominance of docosa-4,7,10,13,16-pentaenoic acid in tubules stresses the possible vital importance of this acid in germinal cells. Aldehydes of 14,16 and 18 carbons derived from alkenyl-glyceryl ethers were recognized in both fractions.