The effect of intracerebroventricular injection of L-DOPA and 6-hydroxy-dopamine on noradrenaline-induced food intake in layer chickens
Subject Areas : Journal of Comparative Pathobiology
F. Zanganeh,
1
,
N. Panahi,
2
,
M. Zendehdel,
3
1 - Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
2 - Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
3 - Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
Keywords: Food Intake, Noradrenaline, L-DOPA, 6-hydroxy-dopamine,
Abstract :
Food intake is regulated by a complex system of central and peripheral signals which interact together to modulate appetite. Noradrenaline has an essential role in the central control of food intake in birds. On the other hand, dopamine (DA) is a hypophagic agent in birds. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of L-DOPA and 6-hydroxy-dopamine on noradrenaline-induced food intake in neonatal chickens. A total of ninety-six neonatal female laying hens (Hyline) were randomly divided into two experimental groups. Immediately after intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection of control diluent (normal saline) or drug solution, cumulative food intake (g) was measured based on the percentage of the body weight (%BW). Control solution (normal saline, group1), L-DOPA (125 nmol, group 2), noradrenaline (300 nmol, group 3), and L-DOPA + noradrenaline (group 4) were injected in the first experiment. In the second experiment, the control solution (group1), 6-hydroxy-dopamine (6-OH-DA, 2.5 nmol, group 2), noradrenaline (300 nmol, group 3), and 6-OH-DA + noradrenaline (group 4) were injected. The results showed that ICV injection of noradrenaline decreased food intake (P<0.05). Furthermore, co-injection of L-DOPA and noradrenaline significantly amplified noradrenaline-induced hypophagia in neonatal chicks (P<0.05). In contrast, co-injection of 6-OH-DA and noradrenaline significantly reduced hypophagia induced by noradrenaline in chicks (P<0.05). According to the results, noradrenaline-induced food intake is probably mediated by the dopaminergic system in neonatal chickens.
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