Nitric oxide controls feeding behavior in the chicken.

ABSTRACT

To investigate the effect of nitric oxide (NO) on food intake in the chicken, L-NG-nitro-arginine methyl ester HCl (L-NNA), an inhibitor of NO synthase, was applied. When i.p. administered, L-NNA significantly inhibited the food intake of broiler chickens in a dose response manner. Food ingestion was also depressed by the i.c.v. injection of L-NNA in a dose response fashion. The effect of L-NNA was attenuated by i.c.v. administration of L-arginine. These results suggest that central NO may control feeding behavior in the chicken.