The Dependence of Cecropia Yolk Formation in Vitro on Specific Blood Proteins

The capacity of cecropia vitellogenic follicles to form yolk during short-term in vitro incubation in female blood was analyzed by labeling with fluorescein-conjugated serum globulin, tritiated cecropia blood proteins, or tritiated amino acid. As judged by fluorescence microscopy or autoradiography, yolk formation during 3-8 hr in vitro was similar in rate and in protein uptake specificity to that observed in vivo. When follicles were incubated in cecropia male blood, 6% gamma globulin, or cecropia saline, the yolk produced was markedly inferior in quality and quantity to that generated in female blood. Purified preparations of vitellogenin, the primary female blood protein deposited in the yolk, were equivalent to whole female blood in supporting yolk formation; this protein seems, therefore, to have a specific stimulatory role. An enhancement of the rate of pinocytosis at the oocyte surface by vitellogenin is postulated.