Lectin activity from embryonic chick brain,heart, and liver: Changes with development

Extracts of embryonic chick brain, heart, and liver agglutinate glutaraldehyde-fixed trypsinized or pronase-treated rabbit erythrocytes. Agglutination activity of extracts from each organ was inhibited by a number of saccharides. Lactose was the most potent saccharide inhibitor of those tested. The specific agglutination activity of the extracts from each of the organs studied changed with development of the embryo. In general, specific agglutination activity declined later in embryogenesis, and after hatching. However, the pattern of developmental change differed for each of the organs tested. Liver was unusual in that, after hatching, agglutination activity rose again; and the agglutinin found at this time was apparently different from that found in the embryo.