The rate of oxygen consumption during embryogenesis of Lymnaea stagnalis (Gastropoda)

We studied the rate of oxygen consumption by the Lymnaea stagnalis embryos. The rate of oxygen consumption increased consistently during embryogenesis. The volume specific rate of oxygen consumption increased initially from the early cleavage stages until the gastrula stage and then decreased gradually to the eclosion of snails. There are three periods in embryogenesis of L. stagnalis, which differ in the coefficients of allometric dependence between the rate of oxygen consumption and volume of embryos: (1) early embryogenesis, when the increase in the rate of oxygen consumption is not accompanied by the growth of volume of the embryos; (2) larval period (trochophore and veliger stages; exponential coefficient k = 0.514), and (3) postlarval period (exponential coefficient k = 0.206).     

Endogenous biorhythms of the mass specific rate of oxygen consumption in individual development of Lymnaea stagnalis (Lymnaeidae, Gastropoda)

Two endogenous biorhythms of the mass specific rate of oxygen consumption with periods of 10.3 and 7.2 weeks have been revealed in the late postlarval ontogenesis of freshwater gastropods Lymnaea stagnalis by singular spectrum analysis. It has been determined that local maxima of both biorhythms in different individuals occur at the same age; in addition to that, the periods of biorhythms are approximately the same in all studied animals and remain unchanged during the whole individual development. It has been noted that the biorhythm with a period of 10.3 weeks is damped (its amplitude decreases from 8 μL O₂/(h g) at the age of 20 weeks to 3 μL O₂/(h g) at the time of death), and the biorhythm with the period of 7.2 weeks is sustained (its average amplitude is 2.4 ± 0.4 μL O₂/(h g).     

Cytochemische Lokalisation von Kalzium im Mantelepithel von Lymnaea stagnalis (Gastropoda)

Zusammenfassung Mit Oxalat wurde im äußeren Mantelepithel von Lymnaea stagnalis Kalzium gefällt und das Präzipitat im Elektronenmikroskop untersucht. Durch Kontroll- und Lösungsversuche wurde die Spezifität der Methode verdeutlicht.Im Drüsenpolster war äußerst wenig, im Manteldachepithel viel Niederschlag. Letzteres scheint demnach den Hauptanteil des Ca auszuscheiden.Kalziumoxalatkristalle fanden sich außerhalb der Zellen nur im extrapallealen Raum, nicht jedoch in den Interzellularen. Das Kalzium wird durch die Zellen transportiert; es tritt dort sowohl frei im Zellplasma, als auch in Vesikeln auf.

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Cytochemical localization of calcium in the mantle epithelium of Lymnaea stagnalis

Summary Calcium was precipitated by the oxalate method and crystals were localized by electron microscopy in the outer mantle epithelium of Lymnaea stagnalis. The specificy of the method was demonstrated by controls and solubility tests.The supramarginal ridge contained extremely little precipitate in contrast to the epithelium of the mantle roof. Therefore it seems that this represents the major site of calcium secretion.Outside the cells crystals of calcium oxalate were found only in the extrapalleal space, not in the intercellular gaps. Calcium is transported through the cells, where it appears free in the cytoplasm as well as enclosed in vesicles.

     

Endogenous biorhythms of the specific growth rate in individual development of Lymnaea stagnalis (Lymnaeidae, Gastropoda)

On the basis of data on the growth of freshwater gastropods Lymnaea stagnalis, the dependence of the specific growth rate on age in the late postlarval ontogeny is calculated. The presence of two endogenous biorhythms of the specific growth rate with periods of 10.3 weeks and 6.5 weeks was revealed using singular spectrum analysis. Local maxima of both biorhythms in different individuals fall on the same age, and their periods are approximately the same in all animals studied and remain unchanged during individual postlarval development. The biorhythm with a period of 10.3 weeks is decaying, its amplitude is reduced from 3.2 year^?1 (at the age of 10 weeks) to 0.8 year^?1 (at the time of death of the shellfish). The biorhythm with a period of 6.5 weeks is nondecaying and has an average amplitude of 0.8 year^?1.     

The effect of copper sulfate on the heart rate of Lymnaea stagnalis (Mollusca: Gastropoda; Pulmonata) infected with trematode parthenites

The influence of different concentrations of the copper sulfate (0.2, 1, 1.8 mg/l) on the Lymnaea stagnalis heart rate in a control and in the case of the trematode infection was examined. Concentrations which cause the decrease and the increase of heart rate were estimated. Pathological reactions in infected individuals are more expressed and appear earlier.     

Effect of hormonal compounds on embryogenesis of the pond snail Lymnaea stagnalis (L., 1758)

Effect of preparations ofa peptide nature (pituitrin and oxytocin) and of a steroid nature (progesterone and hydrocortisone) on embryonic development of freshwater gastropod Lymnaea stagnalis (Mollusca, Gastropoda, Pulmonata) is described. The hormonal preparations used, which differed in chemical nature and physiological activity, may render diverse effects on embryogenesis of the studied mollusk. Of neurohormones, pituitrin rendered the most noticeable and principally stimulating effect. Oxytocin was incorporated in regulatory processes much later and its effect on the rate of realization of particular stages depended more on the quality of occurring changes. In final stages of development, this hormone principally inhibited growth and development of embryos. The female sex hormone progesterone rendered an expressed stimulatory effect, especially notable in later developmental stages of embryos. The hormone hydrocortisone stimulated initial stages of embryogenesis. Its effect was almost not expressed in the final stages. The discovered differences seem to be related both to the functional specificity of the investigated compounds and to specific traits of mechanisms of realization of their effects. A hypothesis is formulated: in gastropods, similarly to vertebrates, the hormones are systemic embryonic and postnatal inducers of differentiation processes.     

Role of chemical signalling in release of motor programs during embryogenesis of freshwater snails Lymnaea stagnalis and Helisoma trivolvis

We have earlier found that freshwater pond snails Helisoma trivolvis and Lymnaea stagnalis, when reared under conditions of starvation, release chemical signals that reversibly suppress larval development of conspecific embryos. Here, we report that (i) these signals are not strictly conspecific and affect also embryos of a closely related species, which occupies a similar environmental niche; (ii) besides the development of embryos, the signals also affect the release of main motor programs, such as locomotion, feeding, and cardiac activity; (iii) action of the signals is bidirectional: they retard the development and release of motor programs at the early larval stages (trochophore to veliger) and accelerate them at later stages (late veliger to hatching). A possible adaptive significance of the described phenomena is discussed.     

In vivo efficacy of praziquantel against Echinoparyphium aconiatum (Trematoda: Echinostomatidae) parasitizing the great pond snails Lymnaea stagnalis (Gastropoda: Lymnaeidae)

The present study had a practical goal. I aimed to determine whether praziquantel could reduce the production of Echinoparyphium aconiatum (Trematoda: Echinostomatidae) cercariae in infected snails Lymnaea stagnalis (Gastropoda: Lymnaeidae) without killing the hosts. Praziquantel is a broad-spectrum antihelminth agent. It caused a total cessation of cercaria shedding when the praziquantel concentration in the treatment bath was 10 mg/L and the treatment time was 30 h or longer. A next research step which has to be taken before giving detailed recommendations about using praziquantel for ceasing production of E. aconiatum cercariae in parasitized snails is to follow the survivorship and performance of treated snails after a praziquantel exposure for longer than in this medium-term (3 days) experiment.     

Aerial and aquatic oxygen consumption of Monodonta turbinata (Mollusca: Gastropoda)

The midlittoral trochid, Monodonta turbinata (Born) has a higher rate of oxygen consumption in air than in water at temperatures between 15 and 25C. The temperature coefficient of its oxygen consumption is higher for the temperature interval 15 to 25C than it is for the interval 5 to 15C. The aerial oxygen consumption is increased by forced emersion or immersion for 24 hours. Immersion has the greater effect. It would appear that the trochid shows respiratory adaptation to zonation and environmental temperature.     

Aerial and aquatic oxygen consumption of Monodonta turbinata (Mollusca: Gastropoda)

The midlittoral trochid, Monodonta turbinata (Born) has a higher rate of oxygen consumption in air than in water at temperatures between 15 and 25°C. The temperature coefficient of its oxygen consumption is higher for the temperature interval 15 to 25°C than it is for the interval 5 to 15°C. The aerial oxygen consumption is increased by forced emersion or immersion for 24 hours. Immersion has the greater effect. It would appear that the trochid shows respiratory adaptation to zonation and environmental temperature.     

Hemocytes of the pond snail Lymnaea stagnalis generate reactive forms of oxygen

Macrophagelike hemocytes of the pond snail Lymnaea stagnalis were stimulated in vitro with various particulate agents (latex, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus saprophyticus, zymosan) and with phorbol myristate acetate in order to determine whether these blood cells show biochemical reactions reminiscent of a respiratory burst. Phagocytic stimulation of the hemocytes resulted in a superoxide dismutase-sensitive reduction of nitroblue tetrazolium, which is indicative of the generation of superoxide anions. Moreover, the hemocytes also produced hydrogen peroxide, and they showed a sodium azide-sensitive diaminobenzidine reaction. The hemocytes displayed a luminol-dependent chemiluminescence that differed for each stimulus used. Zymosan elicited a relatively high dose-dependent response. The chemiluminescence was (partly) inhibited by superoxide dismutase, azide, and cyanide. These data indicate the possible involvement of toxic oxygen intermediates in phagocytic defense reactions of L. stagnalis hemocytes.     

The effects of temperature on oxygen consumption in Bullia digitalis meuschen (Gastropoda,Nassaridae)

• 1.1. The oxygen consumption of Bullia digitalis from South Africa's west coast, measured at a fixed activity level at 15°C, does not differ significantly between winter and summer.
• 2.2. The adult acute rate-temperature curve is flattened over the temperature range likely to be encountered in the field, there being no significant difference in oxygen consumption between 15 and 22.5°C.
• 3.3. Below this plateau the Q₁₀ is normal, giving a value of 2.67 between 5 and 10°C, but at temperatures above 22.5°C the Q₁₀ is less than 2 and oxygen consumption at 30°C does not approach that of the tropical Bullia melanoides at the same temperature.
• 4.4. Both field and laboratory acclimated animals provide evidence that the rate-temperature curve is unaffected by such acclimation, either to high or low temperatures.

     

Serotonergic and dopaminergic influence of the duration of embryogenesis and intracapsular locomotion of Lymnaea stagnalis L

The role of the dopaminergic and serotonergic system was studied during the embryonic development of the pond snail Lymnaea stagnalis, with special attention to the effect of dopamine and serotonin as well as their agonists and antagonists on the rotation of the veliger larvae, and to the effect of precursors and inhibitors of the synthetizing enzymes on the duration of the embryonic life. Serotonin, D-lysergic acid diethylamide and N,N-dimethyltryptamine increased at a concentration of 1 microM the rotation by 50%, 90% and 87% respectively, and among them D-Lysergic acid diethylamide was found to be the most potent agonist. Other serotonergic agonists and antagonists enhanced the frequency of the rotation (from 165% to 355%) at higher threshold concentrations in the following rank order: methysergid > tryptamine > 2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine > 5-carboxyamidotryptamine > bromo-lysergic acid diethylamide > 7-methyltryptamine. Application of 1-(2-methoxyphenyl) piperazine decreased the rotation by 76%. The reuptake inhibitor desipramine completely blocked the rotation and killed the embryos. Dopaminergic agonists accelerated the rotation by 62% to 233%, and their effect was ranged as follows: dopamine > apomorphine > m-tyramine approximately equal to p-tyramine. Chlorpromazine at 100 microM concentration killed the embryos. At a concentration of 100 microg/ml, tyrosine, the precursor of DA, slowed down the embryonic development by increasing the duration of the embryonic life from 8 to 10 days. Decarboxylase inhibitors, alpha-methyl-3,4-dihydroxyphenyl-alanine (25 microg/ml) and m-hydroxybenzylhydrazin (5 microg/ml), killed 50% of the embryos, meanwhile the rest hatched ten days later, compared to the control animals. The development was partially blocked by the serotonin precusor L-tryptophane (50 microg/ml). Trytophan hydroxylase blocker, p-chlorphenylalanine (50 microg/ml) resulted in a distortion of the body pattern of the embryos, and prevented the hatching of most (95%) of the animals.     

Muscular waves contribute to gliding rate in the freshwater gastropod Lymnaea stagnalis

This study revises the mechanisms of ciliary locomotion and demonstrates muscular contribution to locomotion rate in Lymnaea stagnalis. L. stagnalis sticks to the substratum by the foot sole and moves smoothly with no visible contractions of the foot. A ciliated epithelium covering the sole is underlain by smooth muscle cells containing giant mitochondria. It is shown here that slow (basal) locomotor activity (measured as the flow rate of physiological saline over isolated sole) appears spontaneously or is induced by 10⁻⁸–10⁻⁷ M 5-HT. 5-HT (10⁻⁷–10⁻⁴ M) facilitates locomotor activity dose-dependently, and KCN (an inhibitor of mitochondrial respiration) decreases these effects to the basal level. 5-HT and KCN have no effect on the frequency of ciliary beat (stroboscopic measurements), and blockers of anaerobic glycolysis inhibit ciliary motility. Under anaerobic conditions locomotion of a snail is slow and insensitive to 5-HT in contrast to that in aerobic environments. It is concluded that glycolysis supplies energy to ciliated cells and respiration to sole muscle cells; 5-HT stimulates ciliary beating in an all-or-none fashion and muscular waves in a dose-dependent manner; cilia provide slow (basal) gliding, and locomotory rate up to 80% above the basal level is determined by muscular waves.