The metabolism of [l-14C]arachidonic acid by microsomal and purified prostaglandin (PG) H synthase was investigated, HPLC analysis confirmed that arachidonic acid (20 : 4) was extensively converted into prostaglandin Gz (PGGz) and/or prostaglandin H 2 (PGHz) but several minor labelled products were formed in addition. Their formation, mediated by PGH synthase was established by inhibition with aspirin and indomethacin [Hecker, M., Hatzelmann, A. & Ullrich, V. (1987) Biochem. Pharmacol. 36, 851 -8551. Upon comparison with authentic reference material these unknown PGH synthase metabolites were identified with respect to chromatographic properties, ultraviolet spectroscopy and mass spectrometry as 11 (R)-hydroperoxy-5Z,8Z,12E,14Z-eicosatetraenoic acid (1 1-00H-20: 4), 12(S)-hydroperoxy-5Z,8E,1OE-heptadecatrienoic acid (00H-17 : 3), 12(S)-hydroxy-SZ,8E,lOE-heptadecatrienoic acid (OH-I 7: 3), 1 S(RS)-hydroperoxy-SZ,8Z,I lZ,13E-eicosatetraenoic acid (1 5-00H-20 : 4), 1 5(RS)-hydroxy-5Z,8Z,11Z,13E-eicosatetraenoic acid (1 5-OH-20 : 4), 13-hydroxy-5Z,14Z-prostaglandin HZ, 15(S)-hydroxy-8-iso-5Z,13E-prostaglandin H 2 and 15-0x0-prostaglandin H2. Unlike PGGz and PGHz, S-iso-PGHz, 13-hydroxy-PGHz and 1 5-0x0-PGHz failed to induce aggregation of washed human platelets and to form thromboxane upon incubation with homogeneous human platelet thromboxane synthase. In contrast to the formation of 00H-17:3, 15-0x0-PGHz and OH-17:3 which can be attributed to the heme-catalyzed decomposition of PGGz and PGHz, 11-00H-20: 4,15-(0)OH-20: 4-, 8 iso-PGH2 and 13-hydroxy-PGHz represent potential side products of arachidonic acid conversion into PG endoperoxides. Their formation allows to conclude on PGH synthase mechanism and its intermediates for which an extended reaction scheme is proposed.