Selective protein incorporation by vitellogenic Salmo gairdneri oocytes in vitro

Abstract

An in vitro method is represented for the investigation of protein incorporation into the ovarian follicles of rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri). A protein induced into serum of S. gairdneri, after estrogen treatment, was incorporated into the vitellogenic follicles to a greater extent than other serum proteins of S. gairdneri or bovine serum albumin (BSA) which served as controls. A large proportion of the incorporated BSA and other non-vitellogenic proteins is probably associated with follicular tissues other than the oocyte. These results offer further evidence that the estradiol-induced serum protein found in teleosts is vitellogenin, the precursor of oocyte yolk proteins.