Eletrophoretic study of the plasma proteins of the catfish, Rhamdia hilarii, in relation to the reproductive cycle

Abstract

Plasma proteins of the catfish, Rhamdia hilarii, were analyzed by the method of electrophoresis on polyacrylamide gels, and measured the total protein contents by the biuret reaction, during the reproductive cycle. The electrophoregrams showed a specific band in females that had started the vitellogenesis process. Parallel tests were performed in order to investigate the effects of estradiol benzoate and human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) on the electrophoregrams. It was observed that the estradiol benzoate caused the appearance of the specific band of mature females in all treated fishes. No alteration was observed in the fishes injected with HCG. The total plasma protein content ranged from 2.35 g/dl to 5.80 g/dl for males and females and no obvious changes were detected throughout the reproductive cycle or in relation to the body length of the fishes.