Intracerebroventricular corticotropin-releasing factor decreases food intake in white-crowned sparrows.
Neuropeptides such as corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) may play a role in regulating the pronounced seasonal changes in food intake shown by white-crowned sparrows (Zonotrichia leucophrys gambelii). White-crowned sparrows held on short day length received injections into the third ventricle (icv) of saline or 5.0, 15.0, and 30 microg/kg. Meal size over the subsequent 180 min was significantly depressed in a dose-dependent fashion. Other non-specific behaviors such as preening, hopping, and immobile behaviors appeared to not be affected by a dose that suppressed food intake. This experiment suggests that white-crowned sparrows, when weight-stable, respond to CRF in a manner comparable with several mammalian species.
Richardson
R D
RD
Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, 1660 South Columbian Way, Seattle, WA 98108, USA. ralph@u.ashington.edu
Boswell
T
T
Woods
S C
SC
Wingfield
J C
JC
D000818:Animals; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003864:Depression, Chemical; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004435:Eating / Q000187:drug effects*; D007276:Injections, Intraventricular; D017440:Photoperiod; D020308:Songbirds / Q000502:physiology*
D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone