LACK OF PROTEINS OF OVIDUCTAL ORIGIN IN THE EGG OF A TROPICAL ANOLINE LIZARD

During its passage through the oviduct the egg of the tropical lizard Anolis pulchellus increased in total wet mass by 66%; 30% due to solid accumulation and 70% to water intake. Water content in the preovulatory follicles was 41% of their wet mass, while in the fully developed eggs it was 52%. Quantitative analysis of total soluble protein revealed no significant protein accumulation in the postovulatory egg since total protein content in the preovulatory follicle was similar to the amount present in the fully developed egg. Furthermore, analysis of follicle and egg proteins by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis did not indicate major qualitative differences in their protein pattern. Both of these findings strongly indicate lack! of proteins of oviductal origin in the egg of A. pulchellus. Thus, the observed increase in egg mass during retention in the oviduct is mainly due to water uptake, with a minor portion due to eggshell deposition and the incorporation of inorganic nutrients for embryo development.