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Several structural and functional properties are characterized in nucleated erythrocyte plasmalemmae of age- and sex-matched dystrophic (line 413) and normal (line 412) chickens obtained from the University of California at Davis. Plasmalemma purity is assessed through marker enzymes. Significant differences are observed in the phospholipid content between dystrophic and normal chickens. The dystrophic chicken erythrocyte plasmalemma has an increased concentration of phosphatidylserine and a decreased concentration of phosphatidylethanolamine compared with control birds. Also, a measurable and distinct polar lipid, observed only on thin-layer chromatography (TLC) plates spotted with dystrophic preparations, is visualized adjacent to phosphatidylethanolamine. These abnormalities in the dystrophic chicken erythrocyte may signal a general defect in membrane structure for chicken dystrophy.

The phospholipid content of normal (line 412) and dystrophic (line 413) chicken erythrocyte plasmalemmae has been quantified on a developmental basis using sex matched controls. A specific minor phospholipid component, ethanolamine plasmalogen, is identified from dystrophic erythrocyte membrane preparations. To arrive at this identification, data from studies utilizing gas-liquid chromatography, thin-layer chromatography, [14C]ethanolamine incorporation, and biochemical assay for specific organic moieties were correlated. This phospholipid has the potential to alter and regulate membrane fluidity and thus membrane function. The possible presence of significant concentrations of plasmalogen in human dystrophic tissues may serve as a marker for dystrophy and thus be of clinical importance.