The role of central catecholaminergic systems in regulation of food intake of chicks

摘要

To clarify catecholaminergic systems on the regulation of food intake in the neonatal chick, we examined the effects of intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection of prazosin (alpha_1-adrenoceptor antagonist), yohimbine (alpha_2-adrenoceptor antagonist)and benserazide (an inhibitor of L-aromatic amino acid decarboxylase). We found that food intake was significantly suppressed by ICV injection of yohimbine (25 and 50 mu g) over 60 min (P < 0.05). Any doses of prazosin (1.25, 2.5 and 5.0 mu g) did not alter food intake of chicks (P > 0.05). ICV administration of benserazide induced a hypophagia after 60 min postinjection (P < 0.05). It is suggested that catecholaminergic systems play an important role in the neural regulation of food intake in chicks,especially through alpha_2-adrenoceptor.