Disclosed is crosslinked, ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMW-PE)that is stabilized with a-tocopherol. Such an UHMW-PE can be obtained byletting a-tocopherol diffuse into the crosslinked ultrahigh molecular weightpolyethylene. Molded bodies made of said UHMW-PE containing a-tocopherol areprovided with high resistance to oxidation, which makes said molded bodiessuitable especially for endoprostheses.