Fatty acid components of cholesteryl esters from the adrenals of sheep, like those of nonruminants, were characterized by significant amounts of the longer chain metabolites of linoleic acid. Administration to sheep of diets rich in linoleic acid and protected against biohydrogenation did not alter the concentration of these components significantly. Although 18:2 levels were elevated, this was largely at the expense of cis-monoenoic fatty acids.