The pattern of proteins synthesized by one-cell embryos derived from unaged oocytes and oocytes aged postovulation in vivo was analyzed by means of 35S-methionine labeling and gel electrophoresis. The oocytes were obtained after ovulation induction by an injection of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) at proestrus or after a superovulation procedure. The analysis was performed in unfertilized aged and unaged secondary oocytes and in zygotes derived from them. The patterns of proteins synthesized by secondary oocytes from all experimental groups were very similar: The oocytes showed a predominant synthesis of 35 kDa proteins. Zygotes from aged as well as unaged LHRH-induced oocytes also showed a predominant synthesis of one group of polypeptides with a relative molecular weight of about 35 kDa. The proteins of the 35 kDa protein complex migrated in an upper (u), middle (m), or lower (l) band in 10% polyacrylamide sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) gels. The u- and m-band 35 kDa proteins were shown to be synthesized by secondary oocytes. Early pronuclear zygotes from unaged LHRH-induced oocytes synthesized u- and m- but no l-band 35 kDa proteins. In contrast, part (38%, n = 47) of the early pronuclear zygotes from aged LHRH-induced oocytes did synthesize the l-band 35 kDa proteins. Late pronuclear zygotes (LPZ) from aged as well as unaged oocytes synthesized predominantly the l-band 35 kDa proteins. However, although only 5.8% (n = 51) of LPZ from unaged oocytes synthesize m- and l-band 35 kDa proteins, these bands of proteins are present in 25% (n = 24) of the LPZ from aged oocytes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)