vitellogenin
noun
vi·tel·lo·gen·in
vī-ˌte-lō-ˈje-nən 
: a precursor protein of egg yolk normally in the blood or hemolymph only of females that is used as a biomarker in vertebrates of exposure to environmental estrogens which stimulate elevated levels in males as well as females
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Researchers found high levels of vitellogenin—a protein involved in producing egg yolk—in many smallmouth bass.
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National Geographic, 3 Feb. 2016
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National Geographic, 3 Feb. 2016
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“Vitellogenin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vitellogenin. Accessed 23 May. 2025.
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