Sensory input from osphradium is involved in fluoride detection that alters feeding and memory phenotype in Lymnaea stagnalis

Abstract

Fluoride (F-) exposure in organisms remains a significant concern due to its widespread presence and potential health implications. Investigating its detection and subsequent effects on behaviour in aquatic organisms like Lymnaea stagnalis provides valuable insights. Our study focused on elucidating the sensory pathways involved in F- detection and its impact on feeding and memory formation. We explored two potential detection mechanisms: direct flow across the integument onto neurons; and sensory input to the central nervous system (CNS) via the osphradium-osphradial ganglion-osphradial nerve pathway (snails use this system for olfactory sensation of multiple compounds). Injection of F- into snails did not alter feeding behaviour or central neuronal activity, suggesting that internalization might not be the primary detection mode. In contrast, severing the osphradial nerve abolished F-'s suppressive effects on feeding and memory formation, implicating the osphradial pathway in F- sensing and behavioral changes. This finding supports the idea that osphradial nerve signaling mediates the behavioral effects of F-. Our study underscores the importance of sensory pathways in F- detection and behavioral modulation in L. stagnalis. Understanding these mechanisms could provide critical insights into how organisms respond to and adapt to environmental chemical stressors like F-.