Changes in ovalbumin and protein synthesis in vivo in the magnum of laying hens during the egg formation cycle.

1. The present study was carried out to investigate whether or not the rate of synthesis of total protein in various oviducal segments and ovalbumin, a major egg white protein, in the magnum fluctuated during the egg formation cycle in laying hens. 2. Synthesis of total protein and ovalbumin was measured in vivo by the incorporation of [15N]methionine after a primed continuous infusion of tracer for 3 hr. 3. Protein and ovalbumin contents in the magnum and the entire oviduct decreased sharply when an ovum moved down from the magnum to the isthmus, probably due to the secretion of egg white proteins. 4. In contrast, total protein and ovalbumin synthesis in the magnum was significantly higher when an ovum was in there than when it was in any other segments. Fluctuations of ovalbumin synthesis and total protein synthesis in the magnum were roughly parallel to those of total protein synthesis in the entire oviduct. 5. It was concluded, therefore, that the changes seen in total protein synthesis in the whole oviduct during the egg formation cycle were mainly attributable to those in magnum protein synthesis, of which a significant portion was accounted for by the synthesis of ovalbumin.