HEMOLYMPH RPOTEINS OF BLUE CRAB, CALLINECTES SAPIDUS .2. A LIPOPROTEIN SEROLOGICALLY IDENTICAL TO OOCYTE LIPOVITELLIN

Statistical analyses of mean protein and copper concentrations in hemolymph samples from 435 female blue crabs (Callinectes sapidus Rathbun), grouped according to an arbitrary classification of ovary size, indicate that there is a significant increase in protein and copper concentrations of the hemolymph during oocyte maturation. Techniques are described for the isolation of lipovitellin, the major high-density lipoprotein in mature oocytes, and a lipoprotein from hemolymph serum which has been found almost exclusively in adult females. The two lipoproteins have identical mobilities and staining reactions when subjected to vertical starch gel electrophoresis. Lipovitellin and the serum lipoprotein are indistinguishable in analyses using immunochemical techniques. It is probable that lipovitellin is synthesized external to the ovary and transferred to the oocytes during vitellogenesis. © 1969.