The control of feather pecking by serotonin.
Feather-pecking behavior in laying hens (Callus gallus) may be considered a behavioral pathology, comparable to human psychopathological disorders. Scientific knowledge on the causation of such disorders strongly suggests involvement of the serotonergic (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT) system in feather pecking. Previously, chicks from a high-feather-pecking (HFP) line were found to display lower 5-HT turnover levels than chicks from a low-feather-pecking (LFP) line (in response to acute stress; Y. M. van Hierden et al., 2002). The present study investigated whether low 5-HT neurotransmission modulates feather pecking. First. S-15535, a somatodendritic 5-HT-sub(1A) autoreceptor agonist, was demonstrated to be an excellent tool for reducing 5-HT turnover in the forebrain of LFP and HFP chicks. Second, the most effective dose of S-15535 (4.0 mg/kg body weight) significantly increased severe feather-pecking behavior. The results confirmed the postulation that the performance of feather pecking is triggered by low 5-HT neurotransmission.
van Hierden
Yvonne M
YM
Division of Animal Resources Development, Animal Welfare Research Group, Animal Sciences Group of Wageningen University and Research Center, PO Box 65, NL-8200 Lelystad, the Netherlands. y.vanhierden@id.wag-ur.nl
de Boer
Sietse F
SF
Koolhaas
Jaap M
JM
Korte
S Mechiel
SM
D015102:3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid / Q000032:analysis; D000374:Aggression; D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D001921:Brain / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D001923:Brain Chemistry; D002645:Chickens / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004298:Dopamine / Q000032:analysis; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005241:Feathers; D006719:Homovanillic Acid / Q000032:analysis; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid / Q000032:analysis; D010879:Piperazines / Q000494:pharmacology; D011602:Psychophysiologic Disorders / Q000235:genetics / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011897:Random Allocation; D012149:Restraint, Physical; D012701:Serotonin / Q000032:analysis / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D058825:Serotonin 5-HT1 Receptor Agonists
D010879:Piperazines; D058825:Serotonin 5-HT1 Receptor Agonists; D015102:3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid; C079549:4-(benzodioxan-5-yl)-1-(indan-2-yl)piperazine; D012701:Serotonin; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid; D004298:Dopamine; D006719:Homovanillic Acid