The role of the histaminergic system on the inhibitory effect of ghrelin on feed intake in broiler chickens

Document Type : Full paper (Original article)

Authors

1 Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Lorestan University, Khorramabad, Iran

2 Department of Animal Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Lorestan University, Khorramabad, Iran

3 Department of Physiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Ilam University, Ilam, Iran

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the possible involvement of the histaminergic system in the
mediation of ghrelin-induced feeding behavior in broiler chickens. In the trial 1, the effect of
intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection of ghrelin on feed intake was examined in 3-h feed-deprived broiler
chickens. In the trials 2 and 3, the chickens were received ICV chlorpheniramine (an H1 receptor antagonist)
and cimetidine (an H2 receptor antagonist) prior to ghrelin injection, respectively. Cumulative feed intake
was measured at 3-h post injections. Infusion of ghrelin (0.3, 0.6 and 1.2 nmol) decreased feed intake dosedependently (P<0.05). Pre-treatment of chlorpheniramine (100 μg) attenuated the inhibitory effect of ghrelin on feed intake (P<0.05), while such an effect was not noticed by pre-injection of cimetidine (100 μg). The results suggest that there is an interaction between ghrelin and the histaminergic system (through H1
receptors) on control of feed intake in broiler chickens.

Keywords