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β‐Melanocyte‐Stimulating Hormone Potently Reduces Appetite Via the Hypothalamus in Chicks
Author(s) -
Smith M. L.,
Prall B.,
Nandar W.,
Cline M. A.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
journal of neuroendocrinology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.062
H-Index - 116
eISSN - 1365-2826
pISSN - 0953-8194
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2826.2007.01639.x
Subject(s) - endocrinology , medicine , appetite , melanocortin , hypothalamus , melanocyte stimulating hormone , hormone , stimulation , corticosterone , biology , chemistry
The melanocortin system together with other appetite‐related systems plays a significant role in appetite regulation. The appetite‐related effects of one such melanocortin, β‐melanocyte‐stimulating hormone (MSH), are well documented in rodents; however, its effects in the avian class are not thoroughly understood. Thus, we designed a study to determine the effects of i.c.v. β‐MSH injection on food and water intake, plasma corticosterone concentration, ingestive and non‐ingestive behaviours, and hypothalamic neuronal activation using Cobb‐500 chicks. Chicks responded to β‐MSH‐treatment with a reduction in food and water intake; however when water intake was measured independently of food intake, it was not affected. β‐MSH‐treated chicks also had increased plasma corticosterone concentrations and increased c‐Fos reactivity in the periventricular, paraventricular and infundibular nuclei, and the ventromedial hypothalamus; however, the lateral hypothalamus was not affected. The effect on food intake is primary because behaviours that may be competitive with food intake were not increased in β‐MSH‐treated chicks. Based on these results, we conclude that β‐MSH causes anorexigenic effects that are likely primarily mediated via stimulation of satiety‐related hypothalamic nuclei in broiler‐type chicks.