title: Pattern of ovarian protein synthesis and secretion during the reproductive cycle of Scotophilus heathi: synthesis of an albumin-like protein.
abstract: Ovarian proteins synthesized de novo and secreted in vitro were investigated during different stages of the reproductive cycle of Scotophilus heathi. We found increased ovarian protein synthesis and secretion during the recrudescence and the preovulatory periods, coinciding with two peaks of follicular development and steroidogenesis. The ovaries synthesized protein at a low rate during quiescence and the late phase of delayed ovulation. In vitro analysis using 35 S-methionine incorporation showed increased synthesis of 66 kDa protein during delayed ovulation, but secretion of this protein declined markedly during the preovulatory period. N-terminal sequencing of the 66 kDa protein showed that it shares 70% homology with human serum albumin. Immunocytochemistry indicated that this protein is found primarily in the granulosa cells of the follicles. Whether the increase in albumin production by the ovaries during delayed ovulation is associated with a hyperinsulinemic and hyperandrogenic condition requires further investigation.
authors.affiliation: Reproductive Physiology Unit, Department of Zoology, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi-221 005, India.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Chanda
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yonekura
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Krishna
mesh_terms: D000418:Albumins / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000145:classification / Q000378:metabolism; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D002685:Chiroptera / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000502:physiology; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D008970:Molecular Weight; D010053:Ovary / Q000502:physiology*; D010060:Ovulation / Q000502:physiology*; D012098:Reproduction / Q000502:physiology; D014018:Tissue Distribution
chemical_list: D000418:Albumins