Distribution of carotenoids in the eggs from four species of salmonids.

1. The distribution of carotenoids in unfertilized ovulated eggs from chum salmon, kokanee (natural and cultured), masu salmon and cultured rainbow trout was examined from the comparative biochemical point of view. 2. The carotenoid contents in the eggs from cultured salmons such as kokanee and rainbow trout were low, whereas those from natural salmons were high. 3. The carotenoids were distributed in both chylomicra particles with high levels of triglyceride and lipovitellin. The carotenoids in the eggs of cultured kokanee and masu salmon were mostly distributed in lipovitellin, whereas those of the other salmons were equally contained in both chylomicra particles and lipovitellin. 4. Comparison of carotenoid distribution in the eggs from immature and mature chum salmon indicated that the carotenoids were bound to lipovitellin, as well as to chylomicra particles, during vitellogenesis.