The role of the histaminergic system on the inhibitoryeffect of ghrelin on feed intake in broiler chickens

This study was conducted to investigate the possible involvement of the histaminergic system in the mediation of ghrelin-induced feeding behavior in broiler chickens. In the trial 1, the effect of intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection of ghrelin on feed intake was examined in 3-h feed-deprived broiler chickens. In the trials 2 and 3, the chickens were received ICV chlorpheniramine (an H1 receptor antagonist)and cimetidine (an H2 receptor antagonist) prior to ghrelin injection, respectively. Cumulative feed intake was measured at 3-h post injections. Infusion of ghrelin (0.3, 0.6 and 1.2 nmol) decreased feed intake dose dependently(P 0.05). Pre-treatment of chlorpheniramine (100 (mu)g) attenuated the inhibitory effect of ghrelinon feed intake (P 0.05), while such an effect was not noticed by pre-injection of cimetidine (100 (mu)g). The results suggest that there is an interaction between ghrelin and the histaminergic system (through H1receptors) on control of feed intake in broiler chickens.