Purification of vitellin from the ovary of Chinese mitten-handed crab (Eriocheir sinensis) and development of an antivitellin ELISA.

Vitellin was purified from ovaries of mature female Chinese mitten-handed crab (Eriocheir sinensis) using gel filtration chromatography. Analysis by native PAGE showed the vitellin had a native molecular mass of 520 kDa, while denaturing SDS-PAGE revealed two subunits of 97 and 74 kDa. Purified vitellin was used to raise polyclonal antisera, with which an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed.

Reproduction response of Chinese mitten-handed crab (Eriocheir sinensis) fed different sources of dietary lipid.

The effect of feeding three semi-purified diets containing different lipid sources (anchovy oil, soybean oil and pork lard) on fecundity, hatchability and egg fatty acid composition of Chinese mitten-handed crab (Eriocheir sinensis) broodstock was compared with a fresh clam diet in a 6-month feeding trial. Broodstock crabs fed the diet containing pork lard showed poor fecundity and low hatchability. Crabs fed the diet containing soybean oil showed improved fecundity; however, no significant improvement in hatchability was observed.