Blood group type glycosphingolipids from the small intestine of different animals analysed by mass spectrometry and thin-layer chromatography. A note on species diversity.

The total non-acid glycosphingolipids were isolated from the small intestine of cat, cod-fish, guinea-pig, hen, mouse, rabbit, and two strains of rat. The samples were analyzed by thin-layer chromatography and mass spectrometry and for immunological activity. Mass spectrometry of permethylated and LiAlH4-reduced permethylated derivatives allowed the interpretation of the structures (carbohydrate sequence and ceramide composition) of up to 9 glycolipid species in one mixture. The interpretation was facilitated by a temperature programming of the direct inlet probe, leading to a successive evaporation of glycolipid species mainly according to the number of sugars. The structures concluded could in most cases be assigned to the separate bands revealed by thin-layer chromatography. Antigenic determinants proposed by the spectra were settled by immunological analysis. Thus, Forssman glycolipid was identified in cat, guinea-pig, hen and mouse, blood group A glycolipids in cat, rabbit, and rat and blood group B glycolipids in rabbit and rat. No Lewis activity was found. Certain ceramide types were demonstrated to exist preferentially in some glycolipids. Globoside and Forssman glycolipids (globo series) had a less hydroxylated ceramide (one free hydroxyl) compared to most fucolipids and other glycolipids (two or three hydroxyls). In conclusion, glycolipid patterns of intestine vary between species, and individuals of the same species.