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Abstract

The gastropods are commonly known as snails and slugs. They are a large taxonomic class within the phylum Mollusca. The cerebral neurosecretory caudodorsal cells (CDCS) of the fresh water pulmonate Lymnaea control egg laying, an event that involves a pattern of stereotyped behavior. The CDCS synthesize and release multiple peptides, among which is the ovulation hormone (CDCS). It is thought that each peptide controls a specific aspect of the processes involved in egg laying. Dopamine is commonly found in the molluscan central nervous system (CNS). In some gastropods, dopamine has been implicated in the regulation of egg laying behavior that stimulates protein secretion from albumen gland. The albumen gland in pulmonate snails is an accessory gland of the female reproductive tract. It synthesizes and secretes perivitelline fluid (PVF), which is composed mainly of proteins and polysaccharides.