Changes in rabbit brain cytosolic and membrane-bound gangliosides during prenatal life

The present study deals with the developmental profile of cytosolic and membrane-bound gangliosides in rabbit whole brain from the 21st day of pregnancy, the time at which brain could be macroscopically recognized and handled, till birth. In this period of prenatal life the content of membrane-bound gangliosides showed a 2.5-fold increase, referred to fresh and dry brain weight and to membrane-bound protein; the content of cytosolic gangliosides reached a maximum at 21-22 days of pregnancy, and then underwent to birth a threefold diminution. The qualitative pattern of membrane-bound gangliosides, in the same period of life, was characterized by an increase of GD1a and GM1 (more marked for GD1a), a decrease of GT1a, GT1b and GQ1b, and a constant level of GD3 and GD1b. At 21 days of pregnancy the most abundant gangliosides were GT1b and GQ1b, followed by GD1a and GD1b; at birth it was GD1a, followed by GT1b, GD1b and GM1. The qualitative pattern of cytosolic gangliosides closely resembled, during the entire period of prenatal life examined, that of membrane-bound gangliosides.