Immunohistochemical localization and radioenzymatic measurements of serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine) in hearts of Aplysia and several bivalve mollusks

Summary Serotonin immunoreactivity was localized in hearts of the opisthobranch gastropod, Aplysia californica (sca hare) and several species of bivalve mollusks, the heterodonts, Mercenaria mercenaria (quahog or cherry stone clam), Protothaca staminea (little neck clam), and the pteriomorphs, Hinnites multirugosus (rock scallop), Crassostrea virginica (eastern oyster), Mytilus edulis (eastern mussel), and Geukensia demissa (ribbed mussel). In addition, serotonin was assayed in the ventricles, auricles and heart-associated tissues in A. californica, M. mercenaria, H. multirugosus, and G. demissa with a sensitive radioenzymatic assay. Serotonin concentrations and the density of innervation were significantly higher in members of the subclass Heterodonta compared to the subclass Pteriomorpha. Serotonin immunoreactivity was observed in all species surveyed except G. demissa, which also contained relatively low concentrations of serotonin. Varicose fibers presumably corresponding to release sites were localized in the ventricles, auricles, and the auricular-ventricular valves. We hypothesize that in the species where serotonin-immunoreactive fibers are present, serotonin serves to modulate cardiac myogenic activity. The significance of the observed distribution and concentration of serotonin to the physiological effects of serotonin on cardiac function in these species is discussed.