Non-selective afferent innervation develops in embryonic mouse spinal cord-dorsal root ganglia explants chronically exposed to GM1 ganglioside.

Projection patterns of dorsal root ganglion afferents within organotypic explants of fetal mouse spinal cord were examined histologically using a horseradish peroxidase staining method. All explants were also examined electrophysiologically and showed spontaneous and evoked bioelectric discharges, which were evenly distributed across the cord explants. Explants chronically grown in a serum-free medium containing the monosialoganglioside GM1 failed to develop dorsal cord selectivity as was previously observed when a mixture of gangliosides was used. It therefore appears that not all gangliosides can induce selectivity in this model.