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 a-livetin, o^-globulin, /?-livetin, ovotransferrin (conalbumin) and y-livetin (two components). /?-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.