Effect of "restricted ovulator" gene on uptake of yolk-precursor protein

Abstract

The bulk of the yolk proteins and lipoproteins constituting the yolks of mature oocytes in birds are synthesized by the liver and transported via the plasma to the oocytes where they are incorporated by micropinocytosis. Evidence is presented indicating that oocytes of hens possessing a mutation identified by Jones, Briles, and Schjeide as a "restricted ovulator gene" fail to incorporate normal amounts and proportions of low density lipoproteins, lipovitellin and possible other proteins making up the bulk of the yolk material. Plasma albumin is taken into the yolks but the other proteins synthesized by the liver for deposition within the oocytes accumulate in the plasma, attaining very high levels. The possible nature of the "lock" preventing normal deposition of the excluded yolk proteins is discussed.