Absence of eicosatrienoic acid in plasma of sheep parenterally infused with a high glucose fat-free solution.

Five yearling wether sheep were maintained on total intravenous, fat-free feeding for periods in excess of 4 weeks. Analysis of plasma total lipid, neutral lipid, and phospholipid fatty acid patterns showed a decrease in linoleic acid during the first week, after which levels tended to stabilize. Rate of decrease in linoleic acid content of plasma phospholipids of two sheep was different. Changes in nonessential fatty acids were variable. 5,8,11- and 8,11,14-Eicosatrienoic acids were not detected in any of the sheep.