Abstract
White Wistar albino rats were given a low fat basic diet to which various fats and oils were supplemented. The animals were kept on their respective diets for 14 weeks, and the fatty acid composition of adipose tissue, liver, adrenal gland and serum was observed. Urinary 17-ketosteroid values were also measured.
Among the above observations, the fatty acid composition of adipose tissue was found to be most influenced by the nature of the diet, being dependent on the amount of the fatty, acids contained in the diet.
The content of linoleic acid in adipose tissue of animals fed on diets of animal fats, low in linoleic acid, showed a tendency to exceed that of the dietary fat.
Further, a proportional tendency of urine 17-ketosteroid excretion to the linoleic acid content of the dietary fats and oils supplemented was also observed.
A significant correlation between the essential fatty acids content in the adrenal grand and the amount of urinary 17-ketosteroid excretion was of a great interest.
It thus appears that the essential fatty acids may have a significant importance in relation to the function of the adrenal cortex.
