The Influence of Opioid Peptides on Steroidogenesis in Porcine Granulosa Cells

The present studies were undertaken to examine the influence of mu (beta-endorphin, DAMGO, FK 33-824), delta (met-enkephalin, leu-enkephalin, DPLPE) and kappa opioid receptor agonists (dynorphin A, dynorphin B, U 50488) used at different doses (1-1000 nM) alone and in combination with LH (100 ng/ml) on steroidogenesis in porcine granulosa cells derived from large follicles. The effects of mu, delta and kappa receptor agonists on both basal and LH-induced progesterone (P4) secretion were negligible. Agonists of mu opioid receptors reduced basal androstenedione (A4), testosterone (T) and oestradiol (E2) release. Co-treatment with LH entirely abolished the inhibitory effect of these agonists on A4 and E2 secretion and resulted in an increase in T release. The addition of delta receptor agonists was followed by a decrease in basal A4, T and E2 secretion. The cells incubated in the presence of LH increased the androgen production and abrogated the inhibitory effect of delta agonists on E2 output. Basal A4, T and E2 release was also suppressed by kappa receptor agonists. The presence of LH in culture media extended the inhibitory effect of these opioids on E2 output and caused either abolition of the inhibitory influence of kappa agonists or even augmentation of both androgen release in response to the opioids. In conclusion, these data support the involvement of three major types of opioid receptors in the regulation of porcine granulosa cell steroidogenesis.     

Opioid modulation of feeding and drinking in fowls

1. D-ala2-methionine enkephalinamide (DME), the stable analogue of met-enkephalin (an opioid agonist), stimulated food intake of immature hens in the first 30 min after intracerebroventricular injection (2 and 8 micrograms/kg), but had no effect on either food or water intake when injected intravenously (15 and 60 micrograms/kg). 2. Naloxone (an opioid antagonist) had no effect on food intake after either intracerebroventricular (50 and 200 micrograms/kg) or intravenous (1 and 4 mg/kg) injection, but inhibited water intake in the second 30 min after intravenous injection. 3. Water intake was not measured after the intracerebroventricular injections of DME and naloxone. 4. Both feeding and drinking were inhibited in a dose-related way in the 7 h after intramuscular injection of nalmefene (0.2, 0.4, 0.8 and 1.6 mg/kg), a more potent and longer-lasting antagonist than naloxone. 5. These data are compared with published results from similar work with birds and mammals. It is concluded that central release of endogenous opioids may reinforce both feeding and drinking in fowls, but whereas opioid blockage affects feeding more than drinking in pigeons and quail, the opposite appears to be the case in fowls.     

Evaluation of the interaction of mu and kappa opioid agonists on locomotor behavior in the horse.

This study was designed to determine the interactive effects of mu and kappa opioid agonists on locomotor behavior in the horse. Three doses of a mu agonist, fentanyl (5, 10, 20 micrograms/kg) and a kappa agonist U50,488H (30, 60, 120 micrograms/kg) were administered in a random order to six horses. Locomotor activity was measured using a two minute footstep count. Each dose of U50,488H was then combined with 20 micrograms/kg of fentanyl to determine the interactive effects of the drugs on locomotor activity. A significant increase in locomotor activity was seen with 20 micrograms/kg of fentanyl and all the drug combinations. The combination of U50,488H with fentanyl resulted in an earlier onset of locomotor activity. At the highest doses of the combination (U50,488H 120 micrograms/kg, fentanyl 20 micrograms/kg), the duration of locomotor activity was significantly increased when compared to the other doses. We conclude that locomotor activity is maintained or enhanced in horses when a receptor specific kappa agonist is combined with a mu receptor agonist.     

Ultrastructure of hepatic and renal lesions in chickens fed aflatoxin

Male broiler chicks were given feed and water ad libitum from hatching through 3 weeks of age. The feed contained 0, 1.25, 2.5, and 5.0 micrograms of aflatoxin/g of feed. The chicks were killed by cervical dislocation and specimens of liver and kidney were obtained for electron microscopy on days 3, 6, 9, 17, and 21. In chicks fed 5.0 micrograms of aflatoxin, the primary lesions in liver were hepatocellular lipidosis, enlargement of bile canaliculi, reduction in mitochondrial size, mild lymphocytic infiltration, and hepatocellular degeneration and necrosis. Similar lesions were noticed in some chicks fed 2.5 micrograms of aflatoxin, but none was observed in chicks fed at 1.25 micrograms of aflatoxin. At 5 micrograms of aflatoxin, the most consistent lesion in the kidney was thickening of the glomerular basement membrane. Similar glomerular lesions were observed at 2.5 micrograms of aflatoxin, but not at 1.25 micrograms of aflatoxin. Some foot processes of the glomerular epithelial cells were poorly developed. Fusion of foot processes was not observed and fibrous material was not evident in the basement membrane. The pseudopodia of endothelial cells lining the thickened basement membrane were depleted in number or were absent. Degenerative changes also were observed in the cells of the proximal convoluted tubules, but these were less consistent than those of the glomerulus.     

Attenuation by an opioid agonist of the oestradiol-induced LH surge in anoestrous ewes and its reversal by naloxone

The effects of a potent opioid peptide agonist [D-ala2-Phe4, Met(0)ol5-enkephalin (FK 33-824) on the magnitude of the oestradiol-induced LH surge and on basal plasma LH concentrations were examined in intact and chronically-ovariectomized ewes during the late-anoestrous period. In intact ewes, treatment with FK 33-824 (0.5 mg i.v. every 3 hr) for a 24 hr period commencing at the time of oestradiol-17 beta administration (25 micrograms i.m. bolus) was associated with non-significant 65% reduction in the peak plasma LH level observed and a significant (P less than 0.05) 58% reduction in the total amount of LH released during the surge (calculated from the area under the curve). Concurrent treatment with the opioid antagonist naloxone (10 mg i.v. every 3 hr) partially reversed this suppressive effect on the magnitude of the LH-surge. In ovariectomized ewes no significant effects on the oestradiol-induced LH surge of either FK 38-824 alone or FK 33-824 in combination with naloxone were observed. Administration of FK 33-824 at a 6-fold higher dose rate (0.5 mg every 30 min) failed to modify basal plasma LH concentration in intact ewes. In ovariectomized ewes, however, a significant (P less than 0.05) 25% fall in basal plasma LH was observed, an effect which was completely reversed by combined treatment with naloxone (10 mg every 30 min). These results support the conclusion that endogenous opioid peptides may contribute to the neuroendocrine mechanism through which oestradiol promotes a preovulatory-like surge in the anoestrous ewe.     

雌二醇对绵羊输卵管上皮细胞pik3r3、Akt、mapk3基因mRNA及蛋白表达的影响

[目的]利用雌二醇对绵羊输卵管上皮细胞进行刺激,检测与分析绵羊输卵管上皮细胞pik3r3、Akt、mapk3基因mRNA及蛋白表达的变化。[方法]以5代内的绵羊输卵管上皮细胞作为研究对象,通过qPCR及Western blot检测添加10-8 mol/L的雌二醇（以等量培养基替代雌二醇作为对照组）作用0、1.0、1.5、2.0、2.5、3.0、3.5、4.0、4.5、5.0 h后输卵管上皮细胞pik3r3、Akt、mapk3基因mRNA及蛋白的表达情况。[结果]在绵羊输卵管上皮细胞中添加10-8 mol/L雌二醇后,随着作用时间的延长,pik3r3、Akt、mapk3基因mRNA及蛋白的表达量整体呈先升高、后降低趋势。与作用0 h相比,pik3r3基因的mRNA表达量（P<0.01）及蛋白表达量（P<0.05）在雌二醇作用1.5 h时达到最高峰,Akt、mapk3基因的mRNA表达量（P<0.01）及蛋白表达量（P<0.05）在雌二醇作用2.5 h时达到最高峰。雌二醇作用3.0 h时,pik3r3、Akt、mapk3基因的mRNA表达量相比0 h都显著（P<0.05）提高。[结论]输卵管上皮细胞中pik3r3、Akt、mapk3基因的表达受到雌二醇调控。高浓度雌激素促进pik3r3、Akt、mapk3基因的高表达,这可能与生殖道的天然防御有关,并可能通过该途径提高机体自身免疫应答能力。     

饮水中添加乳酸对三黄鸡生长性能和抗病力的影响

目的研究饮水中添加乳酸对三黄鸡的生长性能和抗病力的影响。方法选取1日龄三黄鸡5 000羽,随机分为5组,1 000只/组。在饮水中加入乳酸调节饮水pH值,使得A组、B组、C组和D组的饮水pH值分别为2.0、3.0、4.0和5.0,每天试验鸡饮用酸化水4 h,对照组为正常饮水组。测定各组试验鸡体重和采食量,并记录每日病死数,计算平均日增重、饲料转化率和病死率。结果①平均日增重：1~35日龄段,C组试验鸡的平均日增重提高最明显,提高3.33%。36日龄后,仅B组和对照组相同水平,其他组均降低。②采食量和饲料转化率：B组、C组与对照组相比差异显著（P<0.05）,A组、D组差异不显著（P>0.05）。③病死率：A组、B组、C组、D组比对照组病死率分别减少3.7%、4.2%、4.7%和2.1%。结论在三黄鸡的饲养试验中,乳酸调节饮水pH值为4.0时能有效提高饲料转化率,明显提高1~35日龄段三黄鸡的平均日增重,明显降低三黄鸡的病死率,对于肉鸡促进生长和抗病力具有良好的应用前景。     

Modification by 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) of the inhibition of extrinsic rumen contractions in sheep produced by beta-endorphin

In sheep, beta-endorphin (1 and 2 micrograms/kg) administered into the third cerebral ventricle caused a significant inhibition of the frequency of rumen contractions. The amplitude of the first rumen contractions, following immediately after the end of infusion, and the average amplitude of primary rumen contractions, were inhibited. Beta-endorphin caused general psychomotor excitability. These results suggest that an inhibitory mu and delta opioid system is involved in the control of forestomach motility and general behaviour in sheep. All effects of beta-endorphin were completely prevented by i.c.v. 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA, 18.2 micrograms/kg) pre-treatment. These results suggest that beta-endorphin-induced inhibition of rumen motility is due to central noradrenergic system activation. The exact location of this noradrenergic system remains to be determined.     

Characterization of release of tumor necrosis factor, interleukin-1, and superoxide anion from equine white blood cells in response to endotoxin

Direct effects of endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide [LPS]) on equine WBC are known to stimulate the release of a variety of mediators including thromboxane, prostacyclin, and leukotrienes. In this study, 0.1 microgram of LPS/ml stimulated an early increase in tumor necrosis factor, succeeded by an increase in interleukin-1, but concentrations of LPS up to 5.0 micrograms/ml caused no significant increase in superoxide anion release. The concentration of LPS (0.1 microgram/ml) used in this experiment was in the range of concentrations measured in plasma of some horses with gastrointestinal problems. These results indicate that mediators released in response to low concentrations of LPS may be responsible for many of the LPS-induced pathophysiologic effects. This is indicated because concentrations of LPS detected in plasma of some horses with severe gastrointestinal problems are approximately 0.1 microgram/ml, a concentration that will stimulate cells to produce tumor necrosis factor, but will not stimulate any other measurable cytotoxic effect.     

Types of serotonergic receptors involved in the control of reticulo-ruminal myoelectric activity in sheep

The effects of peripheral (intravenous, i.v.) and central (intracerebroventricular, ICV) administrations of agonists of 5-HT_1A, 5-HT₂, 5-HT₃ and 5-HT₄ receptors were investigated in conscious sheep chronically fitted with intraparietal electrodes on the reticulum and the dorsal, ventral and caudo-ventral rumen. The 5-HT_1A agonist 8-hydroxydipropylaminotetralin increased reticular and decreased ruminal spike burst frequency when given i.v. (80 μg/kg) and ICV (8 μg/kg). The 5-HT₂ and 5-HT₃ agonists, α-methylserotonin and 2-methylserotonin, induced a moderate inhibition of rumino-reticular contractions when given i.v. at 100 and 150 μg/kg, respectively, while marked inhibition was observed after ICV administration at doses of 10 and 5 μg/kg, respectively. The 5-HT₄ agonist 5-methoxytryptamine strongly stimulated rumino-reticular motility by the ICV (10 μg/kg) route, whereas it induced a moderate inhibition when administered i.v. (200 μg/kg). The selective antagonist of 5-HT_1A, 5-HT₂, 5-HT₃ and 5-HT₄ receptors, spiroxatrine, ritanserin, granisetron and DAU 6285, respectively, blocked the responses of the respective agonists given by the same route. Moreover, the antagonists given ICV blocked the effects of the agonists given i.v. except for DAU 6285 ICV, which did not antagonize the inhibition induced by 5-methoxytryptamine i.v. It is concluded that the four types of serotonergic receptors investigated control rumino-reticular motility at the central level. However, according to the receptor type and the forestomach area (reticulum or rumen) this control may be stimulatory or inhibitory, demonstrating a pleiotropic role of serotonin in the control of rumino-reticular motility in sheep.     

Central and local actions of opioids upon reticulo-ruminal motility in sheep

The effects of opioids and naloxone on cyclical forestomach motility were determined in anaesthetized and conscious sheep. To assess central or peripheral opioid actions, differential routes of administration were used. Possible dynamic effects along the innervating vagovagal reflex arc were investigated electrophysiologically at the cervical level of the vagus nerve. Further, direct influences on the smooth muscle were evaluated in vitro on isolated longitudinal reticular strips. Additionally, the effects of some spasmogenic agents were studied for comparative purposes. In anaesthetized sheep, opioids depressed in an identical manner both the amplitude of spontaneous cyclical contractions and contractions evoked by electrical stimulation of the distal end of the cut cervical vagus. In conscious sheep, low doses of normorphine and loperamide inhibited frequency and amplitude centrally (20 micrograms/kg and 4 micrograms/kg via carotid artery respectively), whereas locally higher dose levels (200 micrograms/kg and 10 micrograms/kg via coeliac artery respectively) affected only the amplitude of cyclical contractions. Furthermore the opioid peptides Leu-, Met-enkephalin and [D-Ala2-Met5]-enkephalinamide preferentially depressed the amplitude of cyclical motility most efficiently if administrated via the coeliac artery. These results indicate the presence both of a central opioid action depressing frequency and amplitude and of a local opioid action depressing only the amplitude of cyclical reticulo-ruminal motility. Opioids did not alter the resting discharge of afferent tension units and similarly failed to modulate tone of reticular strips in vitro, suggesting that the opioids act locally on the intramural neuronal plexus, possibly by diminishing the output of excitatory transmitter. Whether substance P could play a role as a vagal excitatory transmitter besides the classically implicated acetylcholine has been discussed. The central opioid mechanism is probably not situated within the gastric centres but elsewhere in the brain. Naloxone (greater than or equal to 100 micrograms/kg, jugular vein) stimulated the frequency of cyclical ruminal motility only in well-defined experimental conditions, probably via a central mechanism.     

Plasma concentrations of enrofloxacin in African grey parrots treated with medicated water

Plasma concentrations of enrofloxacin were measured four times during a 7-day treatment period in African grey parrots that were fed with enrofloxacin-medicated drinking water. Water medicated at doubling doses of 0.09, 0.19, 0.38, 0.75, 1.5, and 3.0 mg/ml achieved mean concentrations (+/- SEM) of 0.10 (+/- 0.05), 0.12 (+/- 0.05), 0.12 (+/- 0.03), 0.15 (+/- 0.05), 0.30 (+/- 0.11), and 0.20 (+/- 0.06) micrograms/ml, respectively. A portion of the administered enrofloxacin was metabolized to an equipotent metabolite, ciprofloxacin. Mean ciprofloxacin concentrations paralleled enrofloxacin concentrations but were lower, ranging from 0.04 to 0.27 micrograms/ml. Acceptance of medicated water was adequate at lower doses; however, at doses of 1.5 and 3.0 mg/ml, acceptance was unsatisfactory, and mean weight loss in these groups was significantly higher than the control group. Based on the concentrations achieved in these preliminary trials and the susceptibility patterns of gram-negative bacteria isolated from psittacine birds, drinking water medicated with enrofloxacin at 0.19-0.75 mg/ml might be effective for treating highly susceptible gram-negative bacterial infections in African grey parrots.     

Comparison of opioid receptor binding in horse, guinea pig, and rat cerebral cortex and cerebellum

OBJECTIVE: To compare the density and binding characteristics of opioid receptor subtypes in horse, rat, and guinea pig cerebral cortex and cerebellum. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective receptor binding study. ANIMALS: Whole brains were obtained from four neurologically normal adult horses during necropsy. Rat and guinea pig brains were obtained commercially. METHODS: The cerebellum and cerebral cortex were dissected from each brain, and tissue homogenates prepared. A radioligand binding technique with the highly selective ligands [(3)H]-DAMGO, [(3)H]-U69593, and [(3)H]-DPDPE was used to identify the mu- (mu), kappa- (kappa) and delta- (delta) opioid receptors, respectively. Competitive binding assays were performed with these ligands and varying concentrations of one of multiple unlabeled ligands. RESULTS: While there were marked species differences in relative densities of opioid receptors, all radioligands interacted with their binding sites with high, nanomolar affinity in both the cerebral cortex and cerebellum. In the horse cerebral cortex, the percentages of total opioid binding sites for the mu-, kappa- and delta-receptors were 71%, 14% and 15%, respectively. In the rat and guinea pig cerebral cortex, the corresponding values were 56% mu-, 4% kappa- and 40% delta-receptors, and 25% mu-, 37% kappa- and 38% delta-receptors, respectively. In horse and guinea pig cerebellum, the binding was 37% mu-, 59% kappa- and 4% delta-receptors, and 15% mu-, 76% kappa- and 10% delta-receptors, respectively. For competitive analysis, all competitors of the mu-, kappa- and delta-receptors completely displaced [(3)H]-DAMGO, [(3)H]-U69593, and [(3)H]-DPDPE and had inhibitory constants in the nanomolar range. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Horses used in this study had a greater density of mu-receptors in the cerebral cortex compared with rats and guinea pigs but without further characterization of the functional role of these receptors it is impossible to determine the clinical significance of these data.     

Comparison of opioid and alpha-2 adrenergic receptor binding in horse and dog brain using radioligand autoradiography

Objective To test the hypothesis that the distribution, density, and subtype of opioid and alpha (α)‐2 adrenergic receptors within the central nervous system (CNS) are significantly different between horse and dog. Study design Prospective experimental study. Animals Three dogs (3 years of age) and three horses (2–5 years of age). Animals were opioid‐ and α‐2 agonist‐free at the time of euthanasia. Methods Brain tissue was obtained at 126 days post‐surgery from dogs and 72 days post‐surgery from horses. The brains were removed, sectioned coronally into 1‐cm slabs, frozen in methylbutane, which was cooled by liquid nitrogen, and stored at ?70 °C. Receptor autoradiography was performed using established techniques. [³H]DAMGO, [³H]U‐69593, and [³H]RX821002 were used for mu (µ)‐opioid, kappa (κ)‐opioid, and α‐2 adrenergic‐binding assays, respectively. Species differences were analyzed separately for each major brain region by repeated measures anova for subregions followed by Fisher's protected Latin square design (LSD). p < 0.05 was considered significant. Results There was higher binding of µ‐opioid receptors in the frontal cortex, left somatosensory cortex, colliculus (mid‐brain), and granule cell layer of the cerebellum of horses than that of dogs. There was higher binding to κ‐opioid receptors in the frontal cortex of dogs compared to horses, whereas binding to κ‐opioid receptors in the cerebellum was higher in horses. Binding to α‐2 adrenergic receptors in the mid‐brain was significantly higher in dogs than in horses. There was higher binding of α‐2 adrenergic receptors in the dorsomedial and dorsolateral periaqueductal grey of dogs as compared to that of horses. Conclusion The results of this study show that the distribution of these receptors is different between horses and dogs. Further work is needed to understand the relevance of these differences to clinical responses to opioids and α‐2 adrenergic agonists in these species.     

Effect of intracerebroventricular orexin-B on food intake in sheep.

Orexin is a hypothalamic neuropeptide that regulates feeding behavior in rats. Orexin-B has recently been cloned in pigs and was shown to stimulate food intake after intramuscular injection. This study was designed to determine whether intracerebroventricular (ICV) and intravenous injections of orexin could regulate appetite in sheep. Suffolk wethers were moved to indoor facilities, adapted to diets for 6 wk, and trained to stand in stanchions for 3 to 6 h each day for 2 wk before indwelling ICV cannulas were installed. These sheep were provided water and they consumed feed ad libitum. On the day before an experiment, each sheep was cannulated in a jugular vein. On the day of an experiment, sheep were placed in stanchions and allowed to stand for 1 h before use. Sheep were then monitored over a 2-h control period before i.v. injection with saline or porcine orexin-B (3 micrograms/kg BW) or ICV injection with artificial cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), orexin (0.03, 0.3, or 3 micrograms/kg BW) or in a second experiment with either orexin B (0.03, 0.3, 3 micrograms/kg BW), neuropeptide-Y (NPY; 0.3 microgram/kg BW), or orexin plus NPY. Food intake was monitored for consecutive 2-h periods. The i.v. injections of orexin did not affect food intake or metabolite or hormone concentrations. In ICV sheep, orexin increased food intake at 2 (P < 0.04) and at 4 h (P < 0.02). Food intake was greatest with the 0.3 microgram/kg BW dosage of orexin (P < 0.05). In the first 2 h after injection, orexin had an effect similar to that of NPY (0.23 kg for orexin and 0.2 kg for NPY). The combination of NPY and orexin had a greater effect on food intake (to 0.34 kg) than did either orexin (P < 0.05) or NPY (P < 0.008) alone. Differences were not apparent in the subsequent 2-h interval. No differences were noted in free fatty acid, glucose, growth hormone, luteinizing hormone, or insulin concentrations following orexin injection. There was an effect of ICV orexin treatment on plasma cortisol concentrations (P < 0.002). Cortisol was increased by orexin at the 0- to 2-h (P < 0.008) and in the 2- to 4-h (P < 0.009) intervals after orexin injection. These data indicate that central administration of orexin stimulates feed intake in sheep.     

Intracerebroventricular melanin-concentrating hormone stimulates food intake in sheep

Melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) stimulates feeding when injected intracerebroventricularly (ICV) in rats. At present it is not clear whether the function of MCH is similar in ruminants, which are species with a continuous delivery of nutrients. Therefore the current investigation sought to determine the role of MCH in sheep. In the first experiment, six, castrate male sheep were satiated and received one of four treatments [saline, 0.1, or 1.0 nmol/kg MCH, and NPY (0.1 nmol/kg)] injected ICV over 30s, then infused ICV for 6 h ( approximately 500 microl/h). Food intake was measured for 2 h before and at 2, 4, 6, 8, 12 and 24 h. In this experiment, feed intake was increased (P相似文献   

Effect of centrally administered opioid receptor agonists on CSF and plasma oxytocin concentrations in dogs

OBJECTIVE: To measure oxytocin concentrations in blood and CSF following central administration of opioid agonists in dogs. ANIMALS: 5 male dogs. PROCEDURE: In a crossover design, CSF and blood were collected immediately before and 15 and 30 minutes after cisternal administration of D-Ala2, MePhe4, Gly-ol-enkephalin (DAMGO, a mu-receptor agonist); D-Pen, pCl-Phe4, D-Pen5-enkephalin (a delta-receptor agonist); U50488H (a kappa-receptor agonist); morphine; and saline (0.9% NaCl) solution. RESULTS: Plasma oxytocin concentration was significantly increased 15 minutes after administration of DAMGO and 30 minutes after administration of U50488H, compared with concentrations obtained after administration of saline solution. Concentration of oxytocin in CSF was significantly decreased 30 minutes after administration of U50488H, compared with concentration after administration of saline solution. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that in male dogs, activation of centrally located mu and kappa receptors elicits an overall excitatory effect on neurons that regulate peripheral release of oxytocin, whereas activation of centrally located kappa receptors elicits an overall inhibitory effect on neurons that regulate central release. These results are in contrast to those reported for other species, in which opioids have a pronounced inhibitory effect on release of oxytocin from the neurohypophysis.     

Endocannabinoid and nitric oxide interaction mediates food intake in neonatal chicken

1. The aim of the current study was to investigate the interaction of the nitric oxide and cannabinoidergic systems on feeding behaviour in neonatal chicken.

2. A total of 6 experiments were designed to evaluate the interaction between cannabinoidergic and nitrergic systems on food intake in 3-h food-deprived (FD₃) neonatal chickens. In Experiment 1, chickens received intracerebroventricular (ICV) injections of saline, 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) (a CB₁ receptor agonist, 2 µg), l-arginine (nitric oxide precursor, 200 nmol) and co-administration of 2-AG + l-arginine. In Experiment 2, ICV injection of saline, 2-AG (2 µg), l-NAME (a nitric oxide synthesis inhibitor, 100 nmol) and their combination (2-AG + l-NAME) were applied to the birds. In Experiment 3, injections were saline, CB65 (a CB₂ receptor agonist, 1.25 µg), l-arginine (200 nmol) and CB65 + l-arginine. In Experiment 4, birds received ICV injection of saline, CB65 (1.25 µg), l-NAME (100 nmol) and CB65 + l-NAME. In Experiment 5, chickens were ICV injected with saline, l-arginine (800 nmol), SR141716A (a selective CB₁ receptor antagonist, 6.25 µg) and l-arginine + SR141716A. In Experiment 6, birds were injected with saline, l-arginine (800 nmol), AM630 (a selective CB₂ receptor antagonist, 5 µg) and l-arginine + AM630. Cumulative food intake was recorded until 2-h post injection.

3. ICV injection of CB₁ and CB₂ receptor agonists increased food intake. Co-injection of 2-AG + l-NAME increased the hyperphagic effects of CB₁ receptors. CB₂ receptor-induced food intake was not affected by co-administration of CB65 + l-NAME. l-Arginine decreased food intake and this effect was amplified by co-injection of l-arginine + SR141716A. However; CB₂ receptor antagonists had no effect on l-arginine-induced hypophagia.

4. The results suggest that there is an interaction between endogenous nitric oxide and the cannabinoidergic system on feeding behaviour which is mediated via CB₁ receptors in the neonatal chicken.

     

Mechanisms controlling feed intake in ruminants: a review

The purpose of this paper is to review our understanding of the involvement of central and peripheral factors in the control of feed intake in ruminants. The regulation of body weight under various states of energy need depends on an animal's ability to control feed intake to meet these needs. In the central nervous system (CNS), the ventromedial and lateral hypothalamus appear to be the areas involved in satiety and hunger, respectively; other important areas are the paraventricular nucleus and rostral brain areas. Intracerebroventricular injection of neurotransmitters, alpha- and beta-adrenergic agonists, 5-hydroxytryptamine and gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) agonists, has stimulated feeding in ruminants; intravenous administration of benzodiazepines stimulated feed intake in sheep and cattle, possibly by increasing GABA levels in the brain. Neuropeptides of the opioid and cholecystokinin families have reciprocal hunger-stimulating and satiety-eliciting effects when administered centrally in sheep. Further, concentrations of these neuropeptides in specific areas of the hypothalamus have been shown to change with the state of hunger-satiety of sheep. In the periphery, none of the hormones associated with the pituitary, adrenal gland, pancreas or gastrointestinal tract has been shown to have significant effects on the control of feed intake. In addition, the physical properties of the ingested feed in the gastrointestinal tract, while possibly influencing the rate or pattern of feeding, do not appear to be primary factors in the control of feed intake under many feeding conditions.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)