Effects of various concentrations (12.5-500 uM) of linoleic acid and docosahexaenoic acid (C22:6 omega 3)(sod. salt) were examined on the platelet metabolism of labelled arachidonate (AA) under two different incubation conditions. In the first platelets were pretreated with either fatty acid prior to incubation with labelled AA; and in the second incubation platelets were incubated with a mixture containing a fatty acid (linoleic acid or DHA) and labelled AA. At all concentrations the two fatty acids reduced the formation of TxB2. At lower concentrations (up to 200 uM) the fatty acids inhibited platelet cyclooxygenase as shown by a reduced formation of prostaglandins (PGs) and TxB2. At higher concentrations (400 and 500 uM), however, the fatty acids behaved differently. Although TxB2 formation was reduced, there was observed an increased formation of PGs. In DHA pretreated platelets only PGE2 increased (to double control values). Platelets pretreated with linoleic acid produced increased amounts of all PGs (PGF2 alpha, PGE2, PGD2), and this effect was greatest for PGE2 which increased by 5-6 fold of control values. DHA showed a dose-dependent inhibition of platelet aggregation induced by arachidonate, epinephrine and collagen.