INDUCTION OF VITELLINE ENVELOPE PROTEINS BY ESTRADIOL-17-BETA IN 10 TELEOST SPECIES

Induction of vitelline envelope proteins by estradiol-17 beta was inve stigated in 14 teleost species from five systematic groups to assess w hether estradiol-17 beta controls the synthesis of vitelline envelope proteins in teleost fish. Vitelline envelope proteins were detected in plasma from fish treated with estradiol-17 beta using three different antisera directed against vitelline envelope proteins from three tele osts. Induction of vitelline envelope proteins was demonstrated in 10 species. In 6 of these species males were available and used to demons trate that the synthesis of vitelline envelope proteins is not restric ted to the ovaries. The immunoreactivity of the proteins varied consid erably within and between species. It is suggested that the synthesis of vitelline envelope proteins is controlled by estradiol-17 beta in t he majority of teleost species. (C) 1994 Academic Press, Inc.