Conversion of arachidonic acid in human maternal and neonatal mononuclear leukocytes

Abstract The metabolism of exogenous [1- 14 C]arachidonic acid in neonatal and maternal peripheral mononuclear leukocytes was studied. Both neonatal and maternal leukocytes converted arachidonic acid to hydroxy acids and to prostaglandin E 2 , but small amounts of PGF 2α and thromboxane B 2 were also found. In addition a polar arachidonic acid metabolite with conjugated double bonds was identified in the supernatant from both maternal and neonatal leukocytes. This might be a leukotriene, but further attempts at biochemical characterization are necessary in order to confirm this.