Abstract
Summary Full-grown oocytes of the surf clam Spisula solidissima are naturally arrested at the dictyate stage of meiosis and resume maturation following insemination or treatment with various chemical stimuli. Serotonin or 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) triggers spawning when injected into the gonads of Spisula and induces maturation when added in vitro to a suspension of isolated oocytes. The physiological relevance of this observation is supported by the identification of 5-HT or a related compound in the body fluid and ganglion cells of Spisula. 5-HT-induced germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) is absolutely dependent on the presence of extracellular calcium in the suspension medium. 5-HT affects Ca2+-uptake mediated by voltage-gated Ca2+-channels in Spisula oocytes that leads to increased levels of intracellular calcium. Verapamil, a voltage-sensitive Ca2+-channel blocker, completely inhibits the actions of 5-HT to induce GVBD, to stimulate Ca2+-uptake, and to influence intracellular calcium concentrations [C...
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