Ganglioside GM1 reduces fetal alcohol effects in rat pups exposed to ethanol in utero

We have investigated the effect of in utero ethanol exposure and ganglioside GM1 pretreatment on the endogenous ganglioside profile of the rat fetal brain. Prenatal ethanol exposure on gestation day (GD) 7 and GD8 and/or GD13 and GD14 leads to a very significant increase in the ganglioside GM1 content in at least 50% of the pup brains when assayed on GD20. This treatment protocol also results in significant decrease in the content of polysialogangliosides GD1a, GT1b, and GQ1b. GM1 treatment of pregnant dams before ethanol administration prevented this alteration in pup brain ganglioside profile. Ganglioside GM1 pretreatment appears to block the cellular membrane changes associated with fetal alcohol effects and thereby minimizes alterations in brain maturation and associated behavioral dysfunction.