Feeding response following central administration of mesotocin and arginine-vasotocin receptor agonists in chicks (Gallus gallus).

Mesotocin (MT) and arginine-vasotocin (AVT) are posterior pituitary derived hormones in birds and are homologous to mammalian oxytocin (OT) and vasopressin (VP), respectively. We previously reported that intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection of both MT and AVT inhibit feeding and induce wing-flapping in chicks (Gallus gallus). Because both peptides cause similar effects suggests that they might act via common receptors.

Central administration of mesotocin inhibits feeding behavior in chicks.

Mesotocin (MT) is a neurohypophysis hormone in non-mammalian vertebrates including chickens, and homologous of oxytocin (OT) in mammals. Oxytocin (OT) is a well known reproductive hormone in mammals, but the physiological roles of MT in chickens have not been clarified well. OT is thought to regulate feeding behavior because central and peripheral injections of OT inhibit feeding behavior in mammals.