Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
1
pubmed:dateCreated
2002-2-13
pubmed:abstractText
In the surf clam, Spisula solidissima, serotonin was reported to induce spawning when injected into the gonads. At nanomolar concentrations, it facilitates the fertilizability of oocyte by sperm, at micromolar concentration, it triggers the meiotic maturation of prophase 1-arrested oocytes, thus mimicking the effect of sperm. To further understand the role of serotonin in the gametogenic and spawning processes, we used both immunohistochemistry and high-pressure liquid chromatography linked with electrochemical detection to detect serotonin in the gonads of the surf clam. We found serotonin-containing varicose fibers covering the surface of the germinal epithelium in both sexes. The area occupied by the serotonergic innervation field encircling gonad acini varied according to the gonadal stages (active phase, ripe phase, partially spawned phase, spent phase). We also found large variations in the serotonin concentration between specimens during the gametogenic cycle. The serotonin concentration was correlated with gonad growth: it decreased in the ripe phase in comparison with the previous phase, the active phase. We attribute the decrease to the increase of total gonad mass in this stage. In contrast, as spawning begins, the total gonad mass declines while the gonad serotonin concentration increases to a level similar to that found in active phase. The finding that prior to spawning, serotonin is present in the gonads within fibers exhibiting distinct varicosities suggests that it is implicated in spawning.
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Feb
pubmed:issn
0006-3185
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
202
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
23-33
pubmed:dateRevised
2006-11-15
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
2002
pubmed:articleTitle
Localization and quantification of gonad serotonin during gametogenesis of the surf clam, Spisula solidissima.
pubmed:affiliation
Département des sciences biologiques, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada H3C 3J7.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't