Reproduction in the freshwater gastropod, Helisoma: involvement of prostaglandin in egg production

Summary

The introduction of nanogram quantities of prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) into the female genital opening of mated animals was found to increase both the number of egg masses produced and the number of eggs per mass. The intrahaemocoelic administration of a thousand-fold higher concentration of PGE₂ was without effect, suggesting an indirect role of prostaglandin(s) in the regulation of egg production.

Prostaglandin (PG) synthetase activity in both the bursa copulatrix and ovotestis varied with the reproductive status. High PG synthetase activity was present in virgin animals, and lower activity was found in mated animals.

Prostaglandins produced by the bursa copulatrix are proposed here to be involved in the production of a matedness factor, which acts upon the brain to initiate or modulate egg production. PG produced by the ovotestis may be involved in ovulation. A model is proposed for the involvement of PG in the regulation of reproduction in Helisoma.

Keywords:

• mollusca
• egg production
• prostaglandin
• prostaglandin synthetase