Evidence of coelomic substances inducing genital maturation inPerinereis cultrifera (annelida polychaeta).

Two peptides (B1 and B2) have been isolated from the coelomic fluid ofPerinereis cultrifera. These peptides are absent in sexually undifferentiated animals. They appear and become abundant during the oocyte submaturity stage. When B1 and B2 are simultaneously injected into very young females, they stimulate an important biosynthesis of oocyte glycoconjugates (certical alveoli). Injected separately, B1 or B2 leads to an oocyte structure similar to that of an anhormonal state. The modes of these actions were discussed.