Sex-related
variations of serum immunoglobulins during reproduction in gilthead sea
bream and evidence for a transfer from the female to the eggs
S. Picchietti, G. Scapigliati, M. Fanelli, F.
Barbato, S. Canese, L. Mastrolia, M. Mazzini, L.
Abelli-2001
Journal of Fish Biology, 59(6):
1503-1511
Abstract:
A significant elevation of serum
immunoglobulin (Ig) concentration occurred in female gilthead sea
bream Sparus aurata during spawning. Furthermore,
a progressive rise of serum Ig level was observed
throughout the process of sexual inversion (from functional
male to functional female), suggesting that the synthesis
of Ig could be regulated by sex-related factors (probably
sexual hormones) involved in the process of oogenesis.
The immunoglobulins of eggs were purified by affinity
chromatography on protein A-sepharose. SDS-PAGE and
Western blot analysis showed reactivity of the
antiserum Pab1 with the Ig heavy and light chains, and
some degradation products. This purification process
yielded detectable amounts of Ig. The sex-related increase
of serum Ig during the reproductive period, and the
detection of Ig in eggs suggest a transfer of Ig from
the blood of the adult female.
(Dipartimento
di Scienze Ambientali, Università della Tuscia, Largo dell'Universita',
01100, Viterbo, Italy, e-mail of L. Abelli : abl@unife.it)