Freshly isolated human marrow mononuclear cells produce lipidic compounds such as PAF and leukotrienes. These lipidic molecules act on human marrow myelopoiesis and erythropoiesis by modulating the growth of committed progenitors (CFU-GM and BFU-E) in vitro. Nanomolar concentrations of leukotriene B4 and C4 stimulate the growth of human marrow CFU-GM. In contrast, micromolar concentrations of lipoxygenase inhibitors (NDGA and BW755C) decrease their growth suggesting a role for endogenous lipoxygenase metabolites in this process. Micromolar concentrations of prostaglandin E2 up-regulate and down-regulate the growth of marrow BFU-E and CFU-GM, respectively. In contrast, the other cyclooxygenase metabolites have no effect. Recent studies indicate that nanomolar concentrations of PAF decrease the growth of CFU-GM and BFU-E from purified marrow CD34+ cells. Together these results indicate that lipidic mediators act on human myelopoiesis and erythropoiesis. However at this time the mechanisms and molecular signals mediating the effects of lipidic molecules on human marrow cells are unexplored.