Interaction of the dopaminergic and Nociceptin/Orphanin FQ on central feed intake regulation in chicken

Central dopaminergic, serotoninergic, as well as GABAergic systems mediate NMU-induced hypophagia in newborn chicken

AIM

Dopaminergic, serotoninergic, and GABAergic systems influence feeding; however, it is unknown how these chemicals interact with neuromedin U (NMU)-induced feeding in birds. In the current study, ten trials were conducted to determine the links between the above-mentioned systems and NMU.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In the foremost experimentation, chickens were given intracerebroventricularly injections of NMU (0.1, 1, and 10 µg). NMU (10 µg), SCH23390 (5 nmol), a D1 receptor antagonist, and NMU + SCH23390 were administered in the second experiment. In subsequent experiments, instead of SCH23390, were applied AMI-193 (5 nmol D2 receptor antagonist), NGB2904 (6.4 nmol D3 receptor antagonist), L-741,742 (6 nmol D4 receptor antagonist), 6-OHDA (2.5 nmol dopamine inhibitor), SB242084 (5-HT2c receptor antagonist, 1.5 μg), 8-OH-DPAT (5-HT1A receptor agonist, 15.25 nmol), picrotoxin (GABAA receptor antagonist, 0.5 μg), and CGP54626 (GABAB receptor antagonist, 20 ng). Then, cumulative intake of food was recorded for 2 h.

RESULTS

According to the results, NMU reduced feeding when compared to the control group (p < 0.05). The NMU-induced hypophagia was reduced with co-injection of NMU and SCH23390 (p < 0.05). Hypophagia was diminished with NMU and AMI-193 (p < 0.05). NMU + NGB2904 and NMU + L-741,742 co-injections had no influence (p > 0.05). 6-OHDA reduced the hypophagia (p < 0.05). NMU and SB242084 decreased the hypophagia (p < 0.05), whereas NMU and 8-OH-DPAT had no effect (p > 0.05). The effects were amplified with picrotoxin (p < 0.05). NMU with CGP54626 had no influence on the hypophagia (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Thus, NMU-induced hypophagia is probably mediated by D1/D2, 5-HT2c, and GABAA receptors in neonatal chicks.

Avian opioid peptides: evolutionary considerations, functional roles and a challenge to address critical questions

The present review considers the putative hormonal opioid peptides in birds. In birds and all other vertebrates, there are four opioid related genes encoding a series of peptides. These genes are, respectively, proenkephalin (PENK), prodynorphin (PDYN), pronociceptin (PNOC) and proopiomelanocortin (POMC). Proenkephalin (PENK) encodes Met- and Leu-enkephalin together with peptides containing met enkephalin motifs in birds, mammals and reptiles. Proopiomelanocortin (POMC) encodes β endorphin together with adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), and melanocyte stimulating hormone (MSH). Prodynorphin (PDYN) encoding dynorphins A and B with α- and β-neoendorphins together intermediate polypeptides across the vertebrates. Pronociceptin (PNOC) encodes nociceptin together with possibly putative avian nocistatin and a non-opioid peptide derived from the C terminal of pronociceptin. There is a high degree of identity in the sequences of enkephalin peptides, dynorphin-A and B and nociceptin in birds and, to a less extent, across vertebrates. The opioid peptides exert effects related to pain together with other biological actions such as growth/development acting via a series of opioid receptors. What is unclear, particularly in birds, is the biological roles and interactions (additivity, antagonistic and synergistic) for the individual opioid peptides, the processing of the prohormones in different tissues and the physiological relevance of the different peptides and, particularly, of the circulating forms.

Effects of phytase supplementation and increased nutrient density on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and hypothalamic appetitive hormone expression and catecholamine concentrations in broilers from 1 to 43 days of age

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate extra-phosphoric effects of phytase and nutrient density on growth performance, meat yield, and hypothalamic appetitive hormone expression and catecholamine concentrations of broilers. Experiment 1 determined differences of digestible amino acid concentrations and AME_n using 256 Yield Plus × Ross 708 broilers (32 cages, 8 birds/cage) fed diets without or with 4,500 phytase units (FTU)/kg inclusion (16 reps/treatment). In Experiment 2, 832 Yield Plus × Ross 708 broilers (32 pens; 26 birds/pen) were provided diets in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement consisting of 2 nutrient contents (without or with increased density) and 2 phytase inclusions (0 or 4,500 FTU/kg). Increased nutrient density was formulated to contain 0.007, 0.015, 0.013, 0.021, 0.024%, and 61 kcal/kg higher digestible SAA, Lys, Thr, Val, Ile, and AME_n (from Experiment 1) respectively, compared with the control diet. Growth performance was determined at 14, 28, and 40 d of age and carcass characteristics at 41 d of age. At 43 d of age, plasma inositol, hypothalamic appetitive hormone expression, and catecholamine concentrations were determined from 4 birds/pen. Additive effects of phytase inclusion and increased nutrient density resulted in the lowest (P < 0.05) feed conversion from 1 to 40 d of age and the heaviest (P < 0.01) breast meat weights among dietary treatments. Phytase addition numerically increased feed intake (P = 0.06) and BW gain (P = 0.051) compared with birds fed diets without phytase from 1 to 40 d of age. Plasma inositol and dopamine concentrations were 2.3- and 1.2-fold higher (P < 0.01), respectively, in broilers fed phytase-added diets than birds fed diets without phytase inclusion. However, mRNA expression of neuropeptide Y, agouti-related peptide, proopiomelanocortin, cholecystokinin A receptor, ghrelin, and serotonin concentration were not different (P > 0.05) among treatments. These data indicated additive effects of phytase supplementation and increased nutrient density on growth performance and meat accretion of broilers. However, the influence of phytase on feed intake warrants future research.

Central and peripheral methylamine-induced hypophagia is mediated via nitric oxide and TAAR1 in neonatal layer-type chicken

The aim of the current study was to determine effects of intracerebroventricular (ICV) and intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of Methylamine (MET) and possible interactions with nitric oxide (NO) and TAAR₁ pathways in 24-h fasted (FD₂₄) and ad libitum layer-type chicken. In experiment 1, FD₂₄ chicken ICV injected with MET (15, 30, 45, 60 and 75 μg). In experiment 2, ICV injection of MET (15, 30, 45, 60 and 75 μg) was injected in the ad libitum birds. Experiments 3-4 were similar to experiments 1-2, except chicken i.p. injected with MET (15, 30, 45, 60 and 75 mg/kg). In experiment 5, FD₂₄ birds ICV injected with l-NAME (NO synthesis inhibitor, 100 nmol), MET (75 μg) and co-injection of l-NAME + MET. Experiment 6 was similar to experiment 5, except, ad libitum birds received injections. In experiment 7, FD₂₄ chicken i.p. injected with l-NAME (100 mg/kg), MET (75 mg/kg) and co-injection of l-NAME + MET. In experiment 8, FD₂₄ birds ICV injected with RO5256390 (selective TAAR₁ agonist, 10, 20 and 40 μg). In experiment 9, ad libitum birds ICV injected with RO5256390 (10, 20 and 40 μg). In experiment 10, FD₂₄ birds ICV injected with RO5256390 (10 μg), MET (75 μg) and their co-injection. Experiment 11 was similar to experiment 10, except, ad libitum birds received ICV injections. In experiment 12, FD₂₄ chicken i.p. injected with RO5256390 (2.5, 5 and 10 mg/kg). In experiment 13, FD₂₄ chicken i.p. injected with RO5256390 (2.5 mg/kg), MET (75 mg/kg) and RO5256390 + MET. Then cumulative food intake was determined until 120 min after injection. According to the results, ICV injection of MET decreased food intake in FD₂₄ and ad libitum chicken (P < 0.05). MET (i.p.) diminished food consumption in fasted (P < 0.05) but not in ad libitum chicken (P> 0.05). Co-injection of the l-NAME + MET significantly decreased MET-induced hypophagia in FD₂₄ and ad libitum chicken (P < 0.05). MET-induced hypophagia (i.p.) weakened by l-NAME in FD₂₄ chicken (P < 0.05). RO5256390 decreased food intake in FD₂₄ and ad libitum chicken (P < 0.05). Co-injection of RO5256390 + MET increased MET-induced hypophagia in FD₂₄ and ad libitum chicken (P < 0.05). RO5256390 decreased food intake in FD₂₄ chicken (P < 0.05). Co-injection of the RO5256390 + MET amplified MET-induced hypophagia in FD₂₄ chicken (P < 0.05). Based on the findings, MET-induced hypophagia is mediated via NO and TAAR₁ pathways on food intake in layer chicken.