Studies on a Blue-Green Serum Pigment of Eel-IV

Seasonal Variation of Concentration of Pigment in Serum

Abstract

The eel serum was monthly examined for the blue-green chromoprotein concentration throughout a year. The concentration was neither sex-nor growth-dependent. A seasonal variation of the concentration was found for both cultured and wild eels: The concentration was highest in July and August, 3 ?? 5 times as much as that in winter. The seasonal variation was clearer in the case of cultured eel, roughly consisting with that of the amount of foodstuff given, With the catadromous eels, a complete disappearance of the chromoprotein was confirmed.
Based on these results, the physiological role of the chromoprotein was discussed.