Multi‐messenger innervation of the male sexual system of Lymnaea stagnalis

Abstract

The male copulation behaviour of the hermaphrodite pond snail Lymnaea stagnalis is under the control of five groups of central neurons that produce a variety of neuropeptides and a classical transmitter, 5-hydroxy tryptamine (5HT). In this article, we describe how the male sexual organs of this snail are innervated by axons from these central neurons. We carried out immunocytochemistry with antisera against the tetra peptide Ala-Pro-Gly-TRP-NH2 (APGWamide), the Lymnaea form of neuropeptide tyrosine (LNPY), conopressin, pedal peptide, the FRMFamide copeptide SEEPLY, the GDPFLRFamide co-peptide DEILSR, myomodulin, Lymnaea inhibitory peptide, and 5HT on tissue sections of the following male sexual organs that receive input from the penis nerve: the prostate gland, vas deferens, preputium, and penis. The results demonstrate that the axons of the separate muscle systems contain particular combinations of transmitters. In addition, two networks of peripheral neurons were revealed. In the tip of the everted preputium lies what appears to be a network of conopressin-containing sensory neurons, which is possibly involved in probing; probing is the part of copulation behaviour in which the male searches for the female genital pore. The other network of peripheral neurons surrounds the most proximal part of the vas deferens and is most likely involved in the pacemaker control of vas deferens motility. On the basis of the data obtained, we hypothesize how the preputium and penis are everted during copulation and which transmitters and central neurons might be involved.