Production of egg yolk and structural proteins during ovarian growth triggered by eyestalk removal in kuruma prawns

Bilateral eyestalk ablation in immature female kuruma prawn resulted in increased ovarian weight and hemolymph vitellogenin levels over 7 days.

• The synthesis of vitellogenin, the precursor of vitellin, was induced by removing the X-organ sinus gland complex.
• Ovarian vitellogenin mRNA levels rose along with vitellin accumulation following eyestalk ablation.
• Cortical rod protein and thrombospondin levels in the ovary increased after ablation, while their mRNA levels did not change.
• The findings indicate a difference in regulatory mechanisms for gene expression between vitellogenin and cortical rod proteins.

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