Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) is well known to be involved in many aspects of bivalve biology, especially in the control of reproductive function. In this work, a neurochemical and immunohistochemical study was carried out in the visceral ganglion of Venus verrucosa (Bivalvia: Veneridae), with the aim of elucidating the features of 5-HT neurotransmission and its influence on gamete emission in this poorly investigated bivalve species. 5-HT release was characterized: tritium efflux, evoked from the isolated [3H]5-HT preincubated visceral ganglion by high potassium concentrations, was shown to possess the characteristics of neurotransmitter release (sodium and calcium dependence, auto-feedback regulation). Serotonergic cell bodies and axonal tracts were labelled by immunohistochemistry, confirming that the released 5-HT originates in a pool of neurons in the visceral ganglion. The presence and distribution of serotonin was immunohistochemically checked in the gonads as well. A plexus of immunopositive fibres was observed in the gonadic tissue of both sexes, specifically located in the follicle walls, and this innervation appeared to come from branching of the cerebro-visceral connectives, whereas no peripheral serotonergic neurons were identified. The immunohistochemical data were supported by light and electron microscope observations. Exogenous 5-HT was applied to Venus verrucosa specimens by intramuscular injection; it induced spawning in both sexes; the response rate was significantly higher in males than in females, as previously observed in some other species of gonochoric bivalves. These findings suggest the existence of a serotonergic neurotransmission in Venus verrucosa, possibly regulating the reproductive process.

Serotonergic neurotransmission in the bivalve Venus verrucosa (Veneridae): a neurochemical and immunohistochemical study of the visceral ganglion and gonads

SINISCALCHI, Anna;CAVALLINI, Sabrina;SBRENNA, Giovanni;CAPUANO, Silvia;BARBIN, Laura;TUROLLA, Edoardo;ROSSI, Remigio
2004

Abstract

Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) is well known to be involved in many aspects of bivalve biology, especially in the control of reproductive function. In this work, a neurochemical and immunohistochemical study was carried out in the visceral ganglion of Venus verrucosa (Bivalvia: Veneridae), with the aim of elucidating the features of 5-HT neurotransmission and its influence on gamete emission in this poorly investigated bivalve species. 5-HT release was characterized: tritium efflux, evoked from the isolated [3H]5-HT preincubated visceral ganglion by high potassium concentrations, was shown to possess the characteristics of neurotransmitter release (sodium and calcium dependence, auto-feedback regulation). Serotonergic cell bodies and axonal tracts were labelled by immunohistochemistry, confirming that the released 5-HT originates in a pool of neurons in the visceral ganglion. The presence and distribution of serotonin was immunohistochemically checked in the gonads as well. A plexus of immunopositive fibres was observed in the gonadic tissue of both sexes, specifically located in the follicle walls, and this innervation appeared to come from branching of the cerebro-visceral connectives, whereas no peripheral serotonergic neurons were identified. The immunohistochemical data were supported by light and electron microscope observations. Exogenous 5-HT was applied to Venus verrucosa specimens by intramuscular injection; it induced spawning in both sexes; the response rate was significantly higher in males than in females, as previously observed in some other species of gonochoric bivalves. These findings suggest the existence of a serotonergic neurotransmission in Venus verrucosa, possibly regulating the reproductive process.
2004
Siniscalchi, Anna; Cavallini, Sabrina; Sonetti, D; Sbrenna, Giovanni; Capuano, Silvia; Barbin, Laura; Turolla, Edoardo; Rossi, Remigio
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11392/1208300
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