The neurosecretory staining in the cerebral ganglia of the Japanese abalone (ezoawabi), Haliotis discus hannai, and its relationship to reproduction.

Neurosecretory staining in the cerebral ganglia of the Japanese abalone (ezoawabi), Haliotis discus hannai, was studied during the reproductive cycle. The variation in stain affinity of the cells and the amount of neurosecretory material contained in the cells were measured during the study. Four cell types were found in the cerebral ganglion. Neurosecretory activity was found in Cell Types A and B, and the amount of neurosecretory material in the cells and the stain intensity of cellular material varied with the reproductive cycle. Cell Types C and D were not neurosecretory. The stain intensity of Cell Type A showed a correlation with vitellogenesis in the ovary. The stain intensity of Cell Type A in males showed no apparent correlation with gonad development or maturation. Cell Type B in both sexes did not show a correlation with gametogenesis, vitellogenesis, or spawning.