Interleukin-1 (IL-1) and IL-6 are produced by Sertoli cells. As IL-1 stimulates IL-6 production in some tissues, the cascade of events that results in IL-6 secretion by Sertoli cells was studied. The addition of IL-1 alpha to Sertoli cells resulted in a time-dependent increase in IL-6 secretion. Incubation of Sertoli cells with two known stimulators of IL-1 production, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and residual bodies, resulted in a significant increase in IL-1 release into the medium several hours before IL-6 release. That IL-1 is essential for IL-6 production from Sertoli cells was established by blocking the actions of LPS and residual bodies with an anti-IL-1 alpha antibody. An increase in the release of IL-1 before IL-6 was also observed in medium obtained from staged segments of intact seminiferous tubules; IL-1 reached a maximum level at stage VIII, when mature spermatozoa are released and residual bodies are formed and phagocytosed. The secretion of IL-6 was low during this stage and then increased progressively from stage IX onward, consistent with IL-1 stimulation of IL-6. The pathway of IL-1 alpha-induced release of IL-6 was studied in the presence of agents that influence arachidonic acid release and metabolism. IL-1 alpha was found to stimulate arachidonic acid release by Sertoli cells. Furthermore, a phospholipase A2 inhibitor, aristolochic acid, significantly decreased IL-1-, LPS-, and pyrularia pubera thionin-induced IL-6 secretion from Sertoli cells. Indomethacin, a specific inhibitor of the cyclooxygenase pathway, had no significant effect on basal, but enhanced IL-1- and LPS-stimulated IL-6 production. The involvement of arachidonic acid metabolites produced in the lipoxygenase pathway on the release of IL-6 was investigated indirectly, using nordihydroguaiaretic acid. This inhibitor reduced basal and IL-1 alpha- and LPS-stimulated IL-6 production. Ethacrynic acid, an inhibitor of peptido-leukotriene synthesis, also reduced basal IL-6 levels and blocked IL-1 alpha- as well as LPS-induced IL-6 secretion. It is concluded that IL-1 produced by Sertoli cells in response to LPS or residual bodies induces IL-6 through the lipoxygenase pathway.