The Role of Brain Somatostatin in the Central Regulation of Feed, Water and Salt Intake in Sheep

Abstract

The physiological role of brain somatostatin in the central regulation of feed intake in sheep was investigated through a continuous intracerebroventricular (ICV) infusion of somatostastin 1-28 (SRIF) at a small dose of 5 μg/0.2 ml/hr for 98.5 hours from day 1 to day 5. Sheep (n=5) were fed for 2 hours once a day, and water and 0.5 M NaCl solution were given ad libitum . Feed. water and salt intake were measured during ICV infusion of artificial cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and SRIF The feed intake during SRIF infusion on days 2 to 5 increased significantly compared to that during CSF infusion. Water intake, when compared to that during CSF infusion. only increased significantly on day 4. NaCl intake during SRIF infusion was not different from that during CSF infusion. Mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) and heart rate during SRIF infusion were not different from those during CSF infusion. The plasma concentrations of Na, K, Cl, osmolality and total protein during SRIF infusion were also not different from those values during CSF infusion.There are two possible mechanisms, that is, the suppression of brain SRIF on feed suppressing hormones and the direct actions on brain mechanisms controlling feed intake, explaining how SRIF works in the brain to bring about increases in feed intake In sheep fed on hay. The results indicate that brain SRIF increases feed intake in sheep fed on hay.