EXISTENCE OF AN ESTROGEN-LIKE COMPOUND IN THE OVARY OF THE SHRIMP PARAPENAEUS-FISSURUS

To investigate a possible estrogen-like compound in ovary of shrimp, Parapenaeus fissurus was extracted with acetone, and after acid hydrolysis, purified by chromatography. The sample extract was assayed by biological, chemical, and immunological methods. With bioassay the shrimp ovarian extract showed estrogen-like activity of 3.26 ng/g of tissue. The shrimp extract displayed maximum uv absorption at 280 nm and showed absorption at 518 nm after reacting with Kober reagent, properties similar to those of estrogens. The ovarian extract was analyzed by gas chromatography. A peak was identified that corresponded to estrone. The extract was further assayed by an immunological method. It was found by such criteria that estrone and estradiol-17β exist in shrimp ovary, and the former was the major compound. According to these data, it is concluded that an estrogen-like compound exists in ovary of shrimp Parapenaeus fissurus. © 1978.