The addition of a trans isomer of arachidonic acid (20:4 delta 14trans) to rat platelet suspensions inhibited the aggregation induced by 7.5 microM of arachidonic acid. This inhibitory effect of 20:4 delta 14trans was significant at concentrations of 7.5-22.5 microM and the range of inhibition was 20% at an inhibitor/substrate ratio (I/S) 1 to 66% when I/S reached 3. However, the addition of its structural homolog (20:3n-9) or the natural isomer (20:4n-6) did not induce any modification of the platelet aggregation. In parallel, adding 20:4 delta 14trans to the platelet significantly decreased thromboxane B2 and 12-hydroxyheptadecatrienoic acid production. In contrast, the 12-lipoxygenase pathway was stimulated, as 12-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid production increased up to 55% when the I/S reached 3. 20:3n-9, not being a substrate of the cyclooxygenase, did not induce any significant modification in the formation of thromboxane B2 and 12-hydroxyheptadecatrienoic acid. 20:4 delta 14t alone did not induce any platelet aggregation. However, this fatty acid was metabolized to a limited extent into two products that have still to be identified. One of them would be a product of the 12-lipoxygenase pathway.