Short-term anorexigenic effects of central neuropeptide VF are associated with hypothalamic changes in chicks

J Neuroendocrinol. 2008 Aug;20(8):971-7. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2826.2008.01749.x. Epub 2008 Jun 6.

Abstract

The present study was designed to measure food and water intake, changes in hypothalamic chemistry, and other behaviour modifications after central injection of neuropeptide (NP) VF in broiler type chicks. In Experiment 1, chicks responded to central NPVF with a reduction in food intake for up to 90 min post injection. Water intake was unaffected. In Experiment 2, NPVF exerted a less potent and shorter duration of attenuated food intake than did the structurally related NPFF. In Experiment 3, 16.0 nmol NPVF reversed the prolactin-releasing peptide induced orexigenic effect. In Experiment 4, central NPVF treatment was associated with decreased c-Fos immunoreactivity in the lateral hypothalamus, whereas c-Fos immunoreactivity in the dorsomedial nucleus, infundibular nucleus (homologue to the mammalian arcuate nucleus) and ventromedial nucleus was increased. In Experiment 5, behaviours unrelated to ingestion including sit, stand, deep rest and locomotion were affected by central NPVF injection. Some of these behaviours are incompatible with ingestion and may contribute to hypothalamic associated perception of satiety after central NPVF. In conclusion, NVPF is a short-term regulator of appetite and its effects are associated with hypothalamic and behaviour changes in chicks.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Appetite / drug effects
  • Appetite Depressants / administration & dosage
  • Appetite Depressants / pharmacology*
  • Behavior, Animal / drug effects
  • Chickens
  • Drinking / drug effects
  • Eating / drug effects
  • Hypothalamic Hormones / administration & dosage
  • Hypothalamic Hormones / pharmacology
  • Hypothalamus / drug effects*
  • Hypothalamus / metabolism
  • Injections, Intraventricular
  • Neuropeptides / administration & dosage
  • Neuropeptides / pharmacology*
  • Oligopeptides / administration & dosage
  • Oligopeptides / pharmacology
  • Prolactin-Releasing Hormone
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos / metabolism
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Appetite Depressants
  • Hypothalamic Hormones
  • Neuropeptides
  • Oligopeptides
  • Prolactin-Releasing Hormone
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos
  • neuropeptide VF
  • phenylalanyl-leucyl-phenylalanyl-glutaminyl-prolyl-glutaminyl-arginyl-phenylalaninamide