Humoral induction of pyloric rhythmic output in lobster stomatogastric ganglion: in vivo and in vitro studies.

In the lobster Jasus lalandii, 14 neurones of the stomatogastric ganglion (STG) are organized in a network that produces rhythmic pyloric outputs. In vitro experiments have shown that the STG neurones receive, via the stomatogastric nerve (stn), neuromodulatory inputs that influence the expression of the bursting properties of the neurones and the ability of the network to produce its rhythmic output. In contrast to these in vitro observations, in vivo transection of the stn does not abolish the pyloric rhythm. Rhythmic output can be recorded by electromyography immediately after stn transection and for up to 2 years afterwards. We have shown that, under these experimental conditions, the STG appears to be isolated from any neuronal input that might account for the maintenance of the rhythmic output. Experiments carried out in the 2 days after stn transection showed that an in vitro preparation of the isolated STG was unable to produce any rhythmic output, but blood serum added to the system could restore the pyloric output. These results suggest strongly that the pyloric network receives neural and humoral modulatory influences in parallel and that each type of influence alone is able to maintain the bursting capability of the pyloric neurones.