An ultrastructural in vitro study on the regulation of neurosecretory activity in the freshwater snail Lymnaea stagnalis (L.) with particular reference to Caudo-dorsal cells

The neurosecretory Caudo-Dorsal Cells (CDC) in the cerebral ganglia of the freshwater pulmonate snail Lymnaea stagnalis produce an ovulation stimulating hormone. Previously it has been shown that neuronal and non-neuronal inputs are involved in the regulation of their activity. The degree of autonomy of these cells has been investigated by studying with morphometric methods the ultrastructure of CDC maintained in vitro. CDC of isolated cerebral ganglia which were cultured for 7 days show a considerable rate of synthesis, transport and release of neurohormone. Apparently these processes can proceed in the absence of neuronal and hormonal inputs from outside the cerebral ganglia. Completely isolated CDC, however, do not show neurosecretory activity in vitro; active Golgi zones, indicating the formation of neurosecretory elementary granules, are absent from such cells. Isolation does not seem to affect general cell functions such as protein synthesis and respiration. It is suggested that a neuronal input, originating within the cerebral ganglia, is necessary for the stimulation of CDC neurosecretory activity. Techniques are described for the isolation and culture of neurosecretory cells of L. stagnalis.