In the present studies we have described a glutathione-dependent system in sheep liver microsomes that protects against membrane lipid peroxidation initiated by either Fe+2/NADPH or Fe+2/ascorbate. Glutathione protected against lipid peroxidation in microsomes containing a wide range of alpha-tocopherol levels (0.02-0.11 microgram/mg protein). The addition of glutathione disulfide alone had no effect on microsomal lipid peroxidation, however, it prolonged the protection afforded by glutathione, particularly in assays containing Fe+2/NADPH. Whereas the glutathione-dependent protection was very labile, with loss of activity demonstrated in microsomes stored at 4 degrees C for 24 hours, the combined effect of glutathione and glutathione disulfide was not affected by storage. The glutathione S-transferase inhibitors, bromosulphothalein and S-hexylglutathione, reversed the protection observed with glutathione, indicating a possible role for microsomal glutathione S-transferases in this protection, but not that observed by the combination of glutathione and glutathione disulfide. In general, our findings support previous results observed with rat liver microsomes and suggest that microsomal glutathione S-transferases may be involved in the glutathione-dependent protection in sheep liver microsomes.