A cytochemical analysis of the follicular cells and the yolk in the growing oocytes of Octopus vulgaris (Cephalopoda, Mollusca).

From an examination of the structural and cytochemical data obtained on the follicular epithelium and on the growing oocytes of Octopus vulgaris it has been possible to establish that, during the evitellogenetic period, the follicular cells penetrate into the oocyte cytoplasm and assume the form of cords. The yolk, which meanwhile has been constituted also through the probable contribution of material metiated by the follicular cells, is seen to be rich in neutral glycoproteins, proteins with sulphydrilic and thiolic radicals and proteins tyrosine and tryptophan containing, but is lacking in glycogen and in acid mucopolysaccharides.