Abstract
The transport of circulating protein constituents into the coelomic cavity as the components of coelomic fluid in female masu salmon Oncorhynchus masou was examined using immunochemical procedures. To clarify the period of coelomic fluid production, the coelomic fluid volume was measured. The results demonstrated that a rapid increment of coelomic fluid occurred one day after ovulation (up to 2.6% of body weight), followed by a gradual increase up to 3.9% until four days after ovulation.
Human serum protein and bovine serum albumin (BSA) were used as immunochemical tracers, injected intravenously into a pre-ovulatory female, and were detected in coelomic fluid from the same individual after ovulation. A higher level of permeated BSA in the coelomic fluid was observed in a female injected before ovulation compared to that after ovulation. Protein constituents of circulation are therefore transported into the coelomic cavity at the time of coelomic fluid production. However, the extremely low level of permeated BSA in the coelomic fluid suggests that protein permeation through the passage via the capillary and coelomic epithelium is restricted.
