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Induction of evisceration in the holothurianEupentacta Quinquesemita and evidence for the existence of an endogenous evisceration factor

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Date Issued:
1986
Title: Induction of evisceration in the holothurianEupentacta Quinquesemita and evidence for the existence of an endogenous evisceration factor.
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Name(s): Byrne, M.
Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute
Type of Resource: text
Genre: Article
Date Issued: 1986
Publisher: Company of Biologists.
Place of Publication: London
Physical Form: pdf
Extent: 16 p.
Language(s): English
Identifier: FA00007172 (IID)
Note(s): The stimuli provoking evisceration of Eupentacta quinquesemita (Selenka) and autotomy of isolated pharyngeal retractor muscle (PRM) tendons were investigated. Tendon autotomy is a two-part response involving PRM contraction and breakdown of tendon connective tissue . An evisceration factor (EF) was detected in coelomic fluid expelled during evisceration. EF was isolated in tissue extracts and the haemal system and peritoneum were sources of EF activity. Autotomy and evisceration were induced by electrical stimulation, K+ and EF, and the effect of these agents was inhibited by anaesthetics. The acetylcholine antagonist tubocurarine chloride elicited evisceration, suggesting that evisceration may involve inhibition of cholinergic transmission. Evisceration and autotomy appear to be neurally controlled and the presence of an endogenous EF suggests neurosecretory or hormonal activity . Cells involved in evisceration may be located at a distance from the autotomy tissues and effect connective tissue breakdown through the medium of the coelomic fluid. Hypothetical sequences of events and possible roles for EF are presented.
Florida Atlantic University. Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute contribution 445
This manuscript is an author version with the final publication available and may be cited as: Byrne, M. (1986). Induction of evisceration in the holothurian Eupentacta Quinquesemita and evidence for the existence of an endogenous evisceration factor. Journal of Experimental Biology, 120, 25-39.
Subject(s): Holothurians
Sea cucumbers--Behavior
Autotomy
Persistent Link to This Record: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00007172
Host Institution: FAU