ABSTRACT Feeding behavior is regulated via a complex network which interacts via diverse signals from central and peripheral tissues. Endocannabinoids modulate release of GABA in a variety of regions of the central nervous system. Endocannabinoids and GABAergic system have an important role in the central regulation of appetite. Thus, the present study examines the possible interaction of central canabinoidergic and GABAergic systems on food intake in 3-h food-deprived (FD3) neonatal layer-type chicks. The results of this study showed that intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection of 2-AG (2-Arachidonoylglycerol, selective CB1 receptors agonist, 2µg) significantly increased food intake and this effect of 2-AG was attenuated by Picrotoxin (GABAA antagonist, 0.5µg) (P<0.001); but 21ng CGP54626 (GABAB antagonist) had no effect (p>0.05). Also, hyperphagic effect of CB65 (CB2 receptors agonist, 1.25µg) was not affected by Picrotoxin or CGP54626 (p>0.05). Moreover, the food intake of chicks was significantly increased by ICV injection of GABAA agonist (Gaboxadol, 0.2 µg) and SR141716A (CB1 receptors antagonist, 6.25µg) significantly decreased Gaboxadol-induced hyperphagia (P<0.001) but CB2 receptors antagonist (AM630, 1.25µg) had no effect. In contrast, co-injection of SR141716A or AM630 with GABAB agonist (baclofen, 0.2µg) had no effect on the hyperphagia induced by baclofen (p>0.05). These data showed there might be an interaction between central cannabinoidergic and GABAergic systems via CB1 and GABAA receptors in control of food intake in neonatal layer chicks.

To clarify the effects of high (20 and 40% more than normal) and low (20% less than normal) daily feed allowance on egg and body parameters, ovarian morphology and plasma glucose, cholesterol, triacylglycerol, leptin-like hormone, nitrite/nitrate and gene expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in the granulosa layer of F1 follicle, broiler breeder hens (30-week-old) were fed for 30 days. Egg and body parameters significantly changed between treatments (p<0.05). Effect of different level of feed intake on ovarian morphology parameters was significant (p<0.05), except for white follicles. After 30 days of experiment, plasma nitrite/nitrate (as a index of plasma nitric oxide) and leptin-like hormone increased in FI+20% and FI+40% groups as compared to controls (p<0.05). Plasma level of leptin-like hormone also significantly (p<0.05) increased in FI+40% group. The relative amount of iNOS mRNA expression in the granulosa layer of F1 follicles was significantly higher in FI-20% and FI+40% groups than in control group only after 4 weeks of experiment. The amount of these elevations in the FI-20% and FI+40% groups were 32.4% and 60.9% respectively. It was concluded that iNOS gene is normally expressed in follicular granulosa cells of F1 follicle of broiler breeder hens 2-4 hours before ovulation. However, over- and underfeeding of hens increased iNOS expression in F1 follicle, which may be one of the atresia-inducing factors in hierarchical follicles as shown by the significant (p<0.05) increase of shrunken follicles in the ovary of over- and under-fed broiler breeder hens after 30 days of feeding.