Isolation and purification of the ovulation-inducing factor from seminal plasma in the bactrian camel (Camelus bactrianus)

The purpose of this study was to extract, identify and partially characteri ze a newly found ovulation-inducing factor, and thus gain our understanding of induced ovulation in biology. In our preliminary research, an ovulation -inducing factor (OIF) was isolated and purified from seminal plasma of the bactrian camel by ion-exchange chromatography on DEAE-cellulose, HPLC and reverse-phase HPLC. The OIF is a peptide with 74 residues and GnRH-iike bio activity, which is heat-stable in camel seminal plasma because the OIF is w rapped up in several protein layers with different properties. However, pur ified OIF is degraded when it is exposed to Oxygen or is heated in water. A ccording to the analysis of amino acid components and partial amino acid se quence aminated N-terminus, and its molecular weight, the OIF is completely different from the native-LHRH, LH, HCG, PMSG and PGF-2 alpha. The OIF is a novel ovulation hormone in the bactrian camel, but is similar to that rep orted in the bull. (C) 2001 by Elsevier Science Inc.