Rat peritoneal macrophages bind and phagocytose homologous, sialidase-treated erythrocytes at a rate depending on the number of red cells and the amount of sialic acids released. Vibrio cholerae sialidase only partially (75%) removes the sialic acid residues from rat erythrocytes, whereas with Arthrobacter ureafaciens sialidase complete desialylation is possible. Analysis of the sialic acids by capillary gas-liquid chromatography combined with mass spectrometry (GLC-MS) revealed the occurrence of N-acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac), N-acetyl-9-O-acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5,9Ac2), N-acetyl-7,9-di-O-acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5,7,9Ac3), N-acetyl-9-O-lactylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac9Lt) and N-glycolyneuraminic acid (Neu5Gc). Native rat serum enhances binding and phagocytosis, as has been observed by radioactive measurements and studies in a micro-scale by light and electron microscopy. The morphological experiments showed that maximum binding of sialidase-treated erythrocytes to macrophages occurs after 15-30 min, while for maximum phagocytosis at least 60 min are necessary. Striking alterations of the shape of erythrocytes during their interaction with macrophages were observed.