Abstract
α‐melanocyte stimulating hormone (α‐MSH) causes potent anorexigenic effects in both mammals and birds when centrally administered. We evaluated the central effects of α‐MSH in lines of chickens selected for low (LWS) or high (HWS) body weight for 49 consecutive generations. LWS contains some anorexic individuals while the HWS chickens are hyperphagic. Central α‐MSH more potently reduced feed intake in LWS than HWS. In a second experiment, we found that central α‐MSH reduced exploratory pecking in LWS but not HWS chicks. α‐MSH more potently reduced locomotion and increased deep rest in the LWS than HWS line. Although feed intake was reduced in LWS, their feeding efficiency was increased by central α‐MSH. In conclusion, LWS and HWS lines of chickens responded differently to central α‐MSH; the central melanocortin system may contribute to their differential body weights.
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