Hypothalamic mechanism of corticotropin-releasing factor’s anorexigenic effect in Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica)

Central administration of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), a 41-amino acid peptide, is associated with anorexigenic effects across various species, with particularly potent reductions in food intake in rodents and chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus), a species for which the most is known. The purpose of the current study was to determine the hypothalamic mechanism of CRF-induced anorexigenic effects in 7 day-old Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica), a less-intensely-selected gallinaceous relative to the chicken that can provide more evolutionary perspective. After intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection of 2, 22, or 222 pmol of CRF, a dose-dependent decrease in food intake was observed that lasted for 3 and 24 h for the 22 and 222 pmol doses, respectively. The 2 pmol dose had no effect on food or water intake. The numbers of c-Fos immunoreactive cells were increased in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) and lateral hypothalamic area (LHA) at 1 h post-injection in quail injected with 22 pmol of CRF. The hypothalamic mRNA abundance of proopiomelanocortin, melanocortin receptor subtype 4, CRF, and CRF receptor sub-type 2 was increased at 1 h in quail treated with 22 pmol of CRF. Behavior analyses demonstrated that CRF injection reduced feeding pecks and jumps and increased the time spent standing. In conclusion, results demonstrate that the anorexigenic effects of CRF in Japanese quail are likely influenced by the interaction between CRF and melanocortin systems and that injection of CRF results in species-specific behavioral changes.