[Age and dynamics of protein and RNA concentration in sheep oocytes]

There exists a definite age rhythm of the amount of RNA and protein in Graaf's vesicle oocytes in the postnatal life of the sheep. The lowest quantities of these components were found in the prepubertal lambs; maximum was recorded in 1,5-2,5 year ewes and later the amount of these components decreased and the oocyte of 8,5 year ewes contained 24% less general protein and 69% less RNA than 1,5-2,5 year ewes. As the oocyte grows the amounts of the protein and RNA change. A primordial follicle oocyte contains 250 +/- 15 rel. units of general protein while a Graff's follicle oocytes has three times more (767 +/- 67 rel. unit). The corresponding data for the cytoplasm RNA are: 87,5 +/- 5 rel. units and 163 +/- 18 rel. units which means a 2 times increase.