Glycogen content in the eggs of four freshwater teleostean species

Abstract

Yolk begins to deposite in the egg during
the period of vitellogenesis (Raven 1961,
Kirpichnikov 1981). According to Balinsky
(1970), yolk is first synthesized in the liver
and then transported in the soluble state
through the blood stream to the ovary for
deposition in the mature oocytes. The essential
components of yolk are proteins, phospholipids,
glycogen and some neutral fats.
Importance of glycogen in the normal
development of a vertebrate embryo is well
known (Spratt 1955,1958a). In the fish egg,
this glycogen also acts as the substrate for
various enzymes for glycolysis and other
carbohydrate metabolism (Milman and
Jurovtizsky 1973, Shaklee and Whitt 1967).
As early development of eggs depends much
on their energy source, the importance of
glycogen in the fish egg needs due weightage.
With this view the glycogen contents
of the eggs of 4 teleostean species Mystus
vittatus (Bloch), Notopterus notopterus
(Pallas), Channa punctatus (Bloch) and
Channa striatus (Bloch) were studied and
histochemical tests of glycogen of the 4
species were also done.
Mature eggs and ovaries