The interaction of bombesin and corticotropin-releasing hormone on ingestive behavior in the domestic fowl.

An experiment was conducted to investigate if bombesin (BM) elicits its effects on feeding through the release of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF). Single Comb White Leghorn (SCWL) and broiler cockerels were stereotaxically implanted with a 23-gauge stainless steel cannula in the right lateral ventricle. Birds were infused with 0 or 0.5 microg BM, 5 microg alphaCRF (a CRF antagonist), or a combination of both. Food and water consumption were monitored at 15-min intervals through 3 h postinjection. Food and water consumption were both significantly decreased by BM in both SCWL and broilers. In SCWL, alphaCRF had no effect on food intake by itself, but attenuated the effects of BM. In broilers, alphaCRF caused a slight, but significant, decrease in food intake, but also attenuated the effects of BM. Water consumption was not affected by alphaCRF in either broilers or SCWL. We conclude that BM may mediate its central effects on food intake in chickens through the release of CRF.