The Fatty Acid Composition of Dermal and Epidermal Triglycéridesand Phosphatides in Mouse Skin during Normal and Abnormal Growth*

The fatty acid composition of the triglycéridesand phosphatides was determined in mouse epidermis and dermis in anagen and telogen stages of the hair growth cycle (nor mal growth) and compared with fatty acid composition of mouse epidermis and dermis undergoing malignant transformation as a result of the application of methylcholanthrene. The fatty acids of the triglycéridesand phosphatides were esterified to the methyl esters, which were subjected to gas-liquid chromatography for the estimation of the various fatty acids. Other investigators have shown that the types of phospha tides and fatty acid composition of the phosphatides of the erythrocytes of various spe cies appear to be related to the permeability of these cells. Also, differences in the fatty acid composition have been found between the phosphatides of rat liver cells and azo dye-induced hepatoma cells. Attempts are made to interpret the results of the fatty acid composition of the triglycérides and phosphatides of epidermis undergoing normal and abnormal growth with those which appear to be related to cell permeability.