Date of Graduation

12-2014

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Poultry Science (MS)

Degree Level

Graduate

Department

Poultry Science

Advisor/Mentor

Kuenzel, Wayne J.

Committee Member

Thallapuranam, Suresh

Second Committee Member

Wideman, Robert F. Jr.

Third Committee Member

Kang, Seong W.

Keywords

Neuropeptide Y; Stress; Vasopressin; Vasotocin

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the central effect of the VT4R antagonists (SR-49059 and H-5350 (Manning compound)) on corticosterone (CORT) levels during stress and food intake. A 22-gauge stainless steel guide cannula was surgically implanted into the lateral ventricle of the birds. A preliminary study was done to test the antagonists and their role on food intake. Birds were injected with saline, NPY (4µg), NPY (4µg)+SR-49059 (250ng), or NPY (4µg)+Manning compound (250ng). Birds injected with saline had the lowest 1h food intake (17.7g1.6). Birds injected with NPY+saline had a significantly higher intake (27.1g 1.0), which was enhanced when birds were injected with NPY+SR-49059 (44.6g2.6) or with NPY+ Manning (35.92.8) compound. These findings were followed up with an acute immobilization stress study. Before immobilization, birds were injected with saline, SR-49059 (250ng), or Manning compound (250ng). Acute stress included wrapping the birds in a harness and leaving them in an unfamiliar cage for 30 minutes. The treatments included no stress, stress, stress+SR-49059, stress+Manning compound. Sample size ranged from 5 to 8 birds per treatment. Blood samples were collected and plasma quantified for CORT by RIA. Results showed that the two antagonists + stress significantly lowered CORT levels when compared to the stress group (p<0.05). A third study was conducted to determine the role of the antagonists alone on food intake. The antagonists increased food intake compared to the control (saline) birds, but did not increase food intake more than birds injected with the antagonist+NPY (p<0.05). In summary, there appears to be an interaction between NPY induced food intake and the vasotocinergic system on the feeding response in birds. The two antagonists have a greater than additive effect on food intake when given with NPY.

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