Feed intake after infusion of Noradrenalin, Dopamine or its precursor into the lateral ventricles in neonatal chicks

Abstract

To clarify the role of catecholaminergic systems in the regulation of feeding behavior in the neonatal chick, we investigated the action of central Noradrenalin (NA), Dopamine (DA), L-DOPA and Tyrosme (Tyr) on feed intake. Each substance or saline was acutely administered into the lateral ventricle (ICV) of chicks. Tyr, L-DOPA and DA did not significantly affect feed intake compared with saline control over the 60 min experimental periods. However, ICV injection of NA significantly stimulated feeding behavior in chicks at 30 min postinjection. These results suggest that the central NAergic system is involved in the control of feed intake, whereas the large increments of Tyr, L-DOPA and DA in the brain of chicks may not be involved in NA induced hyperphagia. © Medwell Journals, 2010.