Distribution of chicken cathepsins B and L, cystatin and ovalbumin in extra-embryonic fluids during embryogenesis.

1. Concentrations of chicken cathepsin B, cathepsin L, cystatin and ovalbumin were determined in the allantoic fluid, amniotic fluid and extracts of chorioallantoic membranes during days 6 to 12 of embryogenesis. 2. Similar trends for cystatin and ovalbumin were observed in the allantoic fluid with maximum concentrations of cystatin on day 7 (12 ± 4 µg/ml) and ovalbumin on day 8 (∼19 ± 2.5 µg/ml) of embryonic development. The highest concentrations of cathepsin B was found on day 7 and of cathepsin L on day 10, but were significantly lower than those of cystatin and ovalbumin. 3. In the allantoic fluid, especially on day 7, considerable proportions of cystatin and ovalbumin were phosphorylated and contained phosphorylated serine. 4. Concentrations of cathepsin B and L, cystatin and ovalbumin in the amniotic fluid were variable but were comparable to those in allantoic fluid.