Yolk Protein Synthesis in the Ovary of <i>Octopus Vulgaris</i> and Its Control by the Optic Gland Gonadotropin

Abstract

ABSTRACT The synthesis of yolk proteins can conveniently be studied in Octopus where removal of the subpedunculate lobe from the brain causes secretion of a gonadotropin by the optic glands and results in precocious sexual maturation (Wells &amp; Wells, 1959). Maturing animals can thus be prepared as needed. The normal reproductive pattern of the female is a further advantage. All the ova from any single animal are deposited during a short period (Mangold-Wirz, 1963) and therefore tend to develop synchronously (Brock, 1879). This results in a high overall rate of yolk synthesis and provides relatively uniform samples of vitellogenic ova without special selection.