Effects of ganglion extracts and other substances on electrical potentials across the mantle of Helix

Abstract

1. The visceral and left parietal ganglia of Helix, and associated nerves, contain something that stimulates Cl-dependent electrogenesis by the mantle epithelium. 2. Release of the substance is stimulated by 8–25 mM K provided Ca is present. 3. Results were little affected by species (H. pomatia and H. aspersa), shell regeneration or season. Ganglion extracts from H. pomatia with mantle PDs reversed before hibernation increased mantle PDs whether these were reversed or normal. 4. Pronase and methanol stimulated electrogenesis and theophylline inhibited it. Copper and ammonium ions did both, with one effect of copper being to decrease passive permeability to ions