Immunochemical analysis of the water-soluble fraction of the chick embryo yolk
By means of immunochemical techniques, the protein components of the water-soluble fraction (WSF) of the egg yolk have been examined in the unincubated egg and during incubation. Anti-ovalbumin and anti-total adult chicken serum antisera have been employed. Ovalbumin can be detected in the unincubated WSF as well as during incubation; its concentration seems to increase during incubation. In the WSF of the unincubated egg, six proteins immunologically related to adult serum proteins can be detected. They correspond to α-livetin, α1-globulin, β-livetin, ovotransferrin (conalbumin) and γ-livetin (two components). β-Livetin disappears after the 14th day of incubation while the other components can be demonstrated till hatching. The findings are discussed in relation to the data available in the literature. The findings are discussed in relation to the data available in the literature.