Development of glycolipids and gangliosides in lead treated neonatal rats

Lead (0.01% or 0.1% in the diet) was given to rats from conception to an age of 14, 21 or 32 days, and the development of brain cerebrosides, sulfatides and gangliosides was followed. Animals which had received 0.1% lead displayed a marked retardation in the onset and a reduction in the final level (at 32 days) of the lipids characteristic for the myelination process (cerebrosides and sulfatides). A slight decrease was also seen in the level of gangliosides at 32 days. It is suggested that certain aspects of lead encephalopathy might be explained by the toxic effects of lead on the glia population and the consequent interference with normal formation of myelin.