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First published online January 19, 2006
Journal of Experimental Biology 209, 558-566 (2006)
Published by The Company of Biologists 2006
doi: 10.1242/jeb.02037
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The identification and role of a novel eicosanoid in the reproductive behaviour of barnacles (Balanus balanus)

Ben H. Maskrey1, Graham W. Taylor2,* and Andrew F. Rowley1,{dagger}

1 Department of Biological Sciences and Institute of Environmental Sustainability, University of Wales Swansea, Swansea, SA2 8PP, UK
2 Division of Medicine, Imperial College, Hammersmith Campus, London, W12 0NN, UK

{dagger} Author for correspondence (e-mail: a.f.rowley{at}swansea.ac.uk)

Accepted 13 December 2005

Post-copulatory behaviour in barnacles involves a violent rocking movement of the opercular valves, which is thought to contribute to the expulsion of oocytes through the oviduct into the mantle cavity where they are fertilised. We demonstrate in this study that the seminal vesicles/testis of the subtidal barnacle Balanus balanus produce a biologically active factor, barnacle muscle stimulatory factor (BMSF), which causes a significant increase in cirral and body muscular activity. BMSF was identified using a combination of high performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry as a novel eicosanoid/oxylipin, 8,13-dihydroxyeicosapentaenoic acid. This is rapidly inactivated under mild acid conditions to form a complex range of triene and pentaene chromophore-containing products that have only been partially identified. Injection of purified BMSF into the mantle cavity of barnacles caused the rocking movements of the opercular valves as reported following fertilisation. In excised barnacles, it also caused muscular contractions of the whole body mass. The breakdown products of BMSF, however, were without such activities. The function of BMSF in facilitating fertilisation in barnacles is comparable to the role of other eicosanoids in human reproduction, reinforcing the view that these compounds have conserved activities in both invertebrates and vertebrates.

Key words: eicosanoid, barnacle, Balanus balanus, lipoxygenase, mass spectrometry.


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© The Company of Biologists Ltd 2006