Pineal glands from n-3-deficient rats had 87% less 22:6n-3 (docosahexaenoic acid), accompanied by more 22:4n-6 (docosatetraenoic acid, 3-fold), 22:5n-6 (docosapentaenoic acid, 12-fold), and 20:4n-6 (arachidonic acid, 48%). Decreases in 22:6n-3 containing PL species were compensated by substantial accumulations of 22:4n-6 or 22:5n-6 and slight increases in 20:4n-6 containing PL species in PC and PE. In PS, however, the accumulation of n-6 species was not adequate to compensate for the loss of 22:6n-3 species. N-3 deficiency led to a more than 60% increase in the daytime pineal melatonin level, suggesting that n-3 fatty acids may be critical in regulating pineal function. Zhang H, Hamilton JH, Salem N Jr, Kim HY. N-3 fatty acid deficiency in the rat pineal gland: effects on phospholipid molecular species composition and endogenous levels of melatonin and lipoxygenase products. J Lipid Res 1998 Jul;39(7):1397-403.

Pineal glands from n 3 deficient rats, an 87% reduction of 22:6n-3 (docosahexaenoic acid) was observed, and this decrease was accompanied by increases in 22:4n-6 (docosatetraenoic acid, 3 fold), 22:5n-6 (docosapentaenoic acid, 12 fold), and 20:4n-6 (arachidonic acid, 48%), The significant decrease of 22:6n-3 containing species in phosphatidylcholine (PC), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), and phosphatidylserine (PS) was also evident. These decreases in 22:6n-3 containing PL species were compensated by substantial accumulations of 22:4n-6 or 22:5n-6 and slight increases in 20:4n-6 containing PL species in PC and PE, In PS, however, the accumulation of n-6 species was not adequate to compensate for the loss of 22:6n-3 species. n-3 deficiency significantly reduced non esterified 20:4n-6 and 22:6n-3 levels in pineals (25% and 65%, respectively) and led to a more than 60% increase in the daytime pineal melatonin level. These results suggest that n-3 fatty acids may play a critical role in regulating pineal function. Zhang HJ; Hamilton JH; Salem N; Kim HY. N-3 fatty acid deficiency in the rat pineal gland: effects on phospholipid molecular species composition and endogenous levels of melatonin and lipoxygenase products. J LIPID RES 1998; 39: 1397 1403.

Updated Sept 2014