VITELLOGENIN INDUCTION BY ESTRADIOL-17-BETA IN PRIMARY HEPATOCYTE CULTURE IN THE RAINBOW-TROUT, ONCORHYNCHUS-MYKISS

In vitro induction of vitellogenin in response to estradiol-17beta was achieved in hepatocyte culture in male rainbow trout. 2. Estradiol-induced protein was identified as vitellogenin by immunoblot and immunoelectrophoresis, Its main subunit was estimated to be a molecular weight (MW) of 175,000 by SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. 3. An ELISA method showed that vitellogenin levels in the culture medium consistently increased throughout an experimental period of 5 days. 4. Triiodothyronine had no stimulative effect on the induction of vitellogenin.