Studies on the possible regulatory function of asterosaponins in oocyte maturation and early embryogenesis ofAsterias rubens

Abstract
In contrast with what has been reported for a Japanese sea star, the oocytes of Asterias rubens contain high levels of asterosaponins at the time of spawning. Most of these saponins are bound to proteins and lipoproteins, only about 3 being in a free form. The saponin level does not decrease at germinal vesicle breakdown and meiotic maturation, whereas it may decrease slightly at fertilization. Evidence was obtained for a decrease of the level of saponins during early embryogenesis; the free-living larva also contains asterosaponins. No definite evidence was obtained that saponins exert a regulating function during maturation or embryogenesis.