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Journal Molluscan Studies Advance Access originally published online on August 5, 2005
Journal of Molluscan Studies 2005 71(4):393-399; doi:10.1093/mollus/eyi041
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© The Author 2005. Published by Oxford University Studies on behalf of The Malacological Society of London, all rights reserved

NERVOUS CONTROL OF OVULATION AND EJACULATION IN HELIX ASPERSA

EMILE GEOFFROY, ROBERT HUTCHESON and RONALD CHASE

Department of Biology, McGill University, 1205 Ave. Docteur Penfield, Montréal, Québec, H3A 1B1, Canada

Correspondence: R. Chase; e-mail: ronald.chase{at}mcgill.ca

The ovotestis duct transports male and female gametes from the ovotestis, through the seminal vesicle, and into the fertilization pouch-spermathecal complex. All these structures are innervated by small branches of the intestinal nerve. Electrical stimulation of the nerve increased the rate at which gametes were transported in the duct and caused autosperm to flow into the fertilization pouch-spermathecal complex. These events were accompanied by stimulation-induced peristaltic contractions along the duct and activation of the cilia lining the interior of the duct. Acetylcholine and serotonin were identified as excitatory transmitters in this system, while FMRFamide was identified as a muscle relaxant. The nervous control of ejaculation may contribute to optimizing the size of the ejaculate in a context of sperm competition, while the involvement of the nervous system in ovulation may stem from a requirement for sensory integration that is peculiar to the Stylommatophora.

(Received 16 December 2004; accepted 31 March 2005)


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