Absorption and distribution of polyunsaturated fatty acids was investigated in rats receiving lysophospholipids per os (30 mg kg-1). Lysophosphatidylcholine (lysoPC) increased [3H]arachidonate absorption and its incorporation into mucosal phosphatidylcholine. Transport of [3H]arachidonate by the phospholipid fraction of lymph lipoproteins and the level of [3H]arachidonate in plasma and liver lipids was also increased by lyso PC. Lysophosphatidylserine also increased [3H]arachidonate absorption but channeled the fatty acids into the aminophospholipid fraction of mucosal phospholipids, thus decreasing its efflux in lymph lipoproteins. As a consequence, lysophosphatidylserine caused [3H]arachidonate accumulation in mucosa. As similar results were obtained with [14C]linoleate, the data suggest that the addition of an appropriate lysophospholipid to the diet may direct absorption and distribution of polyunsaturated fatty acids.