Demonstration of the synthesis of hydrocarbons in animal tissues.

Incubation of tissue of homogenates of peripheral nerves, liver, and subcutaneous adipose tissue of rabbits with [1-14C]palmitic acid and intraperitoneal injection of this preparation into rats, in a dose of 20 muCi per 100 g of weight of the animals, permitted establishment of the presence of enzyme systems of biosynthesis of n-alkanes in the tissues of higher animals. Evidence of the biosynthesis of n-alkanes in the animal organism represents a new aspect of our knowledge of the metabolism of this class of compounds in animal tissues.