The effects of exogenous neuropeptide Y on feeding and sexual behavior in the red-sided garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis parietalis).
Actively courting adult male red-sided garter snakes were injected with one of two dosages of neuropeptide Y (NPY) or saline into the third cerebral ventricle. Courtship and feeding responses were assessed prior to surgery, 4-5 h and 24 h post-surgery. Feeding behavior was tested by the presentation of a favored food, an earthworm. NPY significantly reduced courtship behavior scores at both low (0.16 nmol) and high (0.77 nmol) doses 4-5 h after surgery. Snakes also took much longer to reach the criterion courtship score at the high dose. Feeding occurred only in snakes treated with NPY. At the low dose 29% ate at 4-5 h and 24 h after surgery; 43% of the snakes treated with the high dose ate 4-5 h post-surgery. When tested the day following injection, animals were courting at levels comparable to presurgery levels and refused food.
Morris
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Department of Zoology, University of Texas, Austin 78712.
Crews
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D000818:Animals; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D009478:Neuropeptide Y / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*; D012911:Snakes / Q000502:physiology*
D009478:Neuropeptide Y