Abstract
THE optic glands of Octopus vulgaris lie on either side of the central part of the supraoesophageal brain, on the stalks of the optic lobes (Fig. 1): they control hormonally the onset of sexual maturity in female octopuses1. Production of hormone is regulated by an inhibitory nerve supply from the subpedunculate lobe. This in turn is probably affected by daylength, for section of optic nerves causes precocious sexual maturity in octopuses1, and a period of artificially reduced daylength can accelerate the normal onset of sexual maturity in Sepia2. A single optic gland hormone apparently determines the state of maturation of both ovaries and oviducts3.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Rent or buy this article
Prices vary by article type
from$1.95
to$39.95
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Wells, M. J., and Wells, J., J. Exp. Biol., 36, 1 (1959).
Richard, A., CR Acad. Sci. Paris, 264, 1315 (1967).
Wells, M. J., Symp. Zool. Soc. London, 2, 87 (1960).
Vevers, H. G., Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., 137, 311 (1961).
Taki, I., Jap. J. Malac. (Venus), 13, 267 (1944).
Callan, H. G., Pubbl. Staz. Zool. Napoli, 18, 15 (1940).
Heukelem, W. F. van, thesis, Univ. of Hawaii (1966).
Guillemin, R., XXIV International Congress of Physiological Sciences, 69 (1968).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
WELLS, M., WELLS, J. Pituitary Analogue in the Octopus. Nature 222, 293–294 (1969). https://doi.org/10.1038/222293a0
Received:
Revised:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/222293a0
This article is cited by
-
Brain compartmentalization based on transcriptome analyses and its gene expression in Octopus minor
Brain Structure and Function (2023)
-
Oxygen consumption and ammonia excretion of Octopus vulgaris (Cephalopoda) in relation to body mass and temperature
Marine Biology (2005)
-
Uptake of ferritin by the cephalopod optic gland
Cell and Tissue Research (1976)
-
La maturation sexuelle chez les m�les d'Octopus vulgaris (Cephalopoda: Octopoda), en relation avec le r�flexe photo-sexuel
Marine Biology (1974)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.