Effects of CRF on isolated Japanese quails selected for fearfulness and for sociality.
The effects of CRF on the behavior and plasma corticosterone levels of isolated Japanese quail chicks were determined. Doses of 15, 30, and 45 micrograms/kg of CRF reduced the number of distress vocalizations emitted during isolation in chicks of a control line. The behavioral responses to a 15 micrograms/kg dose of CRF in lines selected either for high (HSR) or low (LSR) level of sociality or for low (STI) or high (LTI) fearfulness were compared. CRF suppressed vocalizations and increased the number of pecks at food. In LTI and STI chicks, CRF decreased the number of distress calls. In HSR chicks, CRF increased the number of pecks at food and suppressed vocalizations. No effect of CRF was found in LSR chicks. Chicks of the HSR, LSR, LTI, STI, and control lines were injected with 15 micrograms/kg of CRF or saline solution and the level of corticosterone measured following a 15-min isolation period. CRF or isolation alone slightly activated the HPA axis, whereas CRF plus isolation greatly increased corticosterone levels except in the LSR line. These differential responses of LSR chicks and chicks of the other lines, indicate a possible role of CRF in the regulation of social reinstatement behavior.
Launay
F
F
Station de Recherches Avicoles, Centre de Tours-Nouzilly, France.
Mills
A D
AD
Faure
J M
JM
Williams
J B
JB
D000818:Animals; D001143:Arousal / Q000187:drug effects*; D003345:Corticosterone / Q000097:blood; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003370:Coturnix; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005106:Exploratory Behavior / Q000187:drug effects; D005239:Fear / Q000187:drug effects*; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D012919:Social Behavior; D012934:Social Isolation; D014828:Vocalization, Animal / Q000187:drug effects
D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone; D003345:Corticosterone