Effect of the H1-histamine receptor agonist betahistine on drinking and eating behavior in pygmy goats.
The effect of different doses of the H1-receptor agonist betahistine (0.9 and 2, 4 and 8 mg/kg b.wt.(0.75)) on water and food intake was investigated in 12 pygmy goats. Intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of betahistine (2, 4, and 8 mg/kg b.wt.(0.75)) stimulated drinking in a dose-dependent manner. Food intake was decreased after the injection of 4 or 8 mg/kg b.wt.(0.75) betahistine, respectively. The increase in water intake was characterized by an increased draft size and decreased latency to drink. The decrease in food intake at the highest dose tested was characterized by an increased latency to eat and by a decreased meal frequency, and food intake associated to drinking was decreased. In line with previous studies, these results support the hypothesis that food-associated drinking is mediated by stimulation of H1-receptors of histamine in pygmy goats.
Rossi
R
R
Institute of Veterinary-Physiology, University of Zürich, Switzerland. rrossi@vetphys.unizh.ch
Del Prete
E
E
Scharrer
E
E
D000818:Animals; D001621:Betahistine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004326:Drinking / Q000187:drug effects; D004327:Drinking Behavior / Q000187:drug effects*; D004435:Eating / Q000187:drug effects; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D006041:Goats / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology; D017442:Histamine Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016555:Matched-Pair Analysis; D011969:Receptors, Histamine H1 / Q000502:physiology*
D017442:Histamine Agonists; D011969:Receptors, Histamine H1; D001621:Betahistine