An immunological study of the diverse forms of vitellogenin identified in quail plasma.

Quail vitellogenins (which exist in three different native forms designated Vg alpha, Vg beta and Vg gamma) can be separated into two fractions by DEAE-cellulose chromatography: peak III (containing Vg alpha, Vg beta, and Vg gamma) and peak IV (containing Vg alpha and Vg beta). In the present study, antibodies were prepared against peak III and peak IV vitellogenin fractions, which were then compared with each other and with vitellogenin-containing plasma by immunodiffusion, rocket immunoelectrophoresis, and two-dimensional immunoelectrophoresis. Peak III and peak IV vitellogenin fractions behaved similarly on immunodiffusion and gave an apparently homogeneous precipitin band. However, rocket immunoelectrophoresis revealed at least three or four antigenic determinants in peak III or peak IV vitellogenin fractions. Two-dimensional immunoelectrophoresis showed that peak III vitellogenin fractions contained an antigenic determinant not present in peak IV vitellogenin. In addition, some constituents within any vitellogenin-containing sample had antigenic determinants in common, as revealed by the continuity of certain precipitin peaks, indicating a possible structural relatedness between Vg alpha, beta, and/or gamma. Plasma from untreated male quail had an antigenic determinant in common with all vitellogenin-containing plasma samples.