Genes involved in the synthesis of egg components Cytidine monophosphate-N-acetylneuraminic acid hydroxylase (CMAH) is the key enzyme for the synthesis of N-glycolylneuraminic acid. In salmonid eggs, cortical alveoli contain polysialoglycoproteins (PSGP). In rainbow trout, it was previously shown that those PSGP contain N-glycolylneuraminic acid residues [72] . In the present study we observed a significant decrease of cmah gene expression at the time of oocyte maturation. While the presence of cmah gene expression in the ovary is totally consistent with the presence of N-glycolylneuraminic acid in rainbow trout cortical alveoli content, it seems however difficult to speculate on the dynamics of PSGP accumulation in the oocytes.