Neuropeptide AF is associated with satiety in chicks

Abstract

Neuropeptide AF (NPAF), an 18 reside peptide, is a member of the RFamide family and has structural similarity to the satiety‐inducing neuropeptides FF and VF. However, to our knowledge the appetite associated effects of NPAF are unreported. Thus, chicks were intracerebroventricularly (ICV) injected with increasing doses of NPAF and food and water intake were measured. NPAF was associated with decreased food intake during the entire 180 minute observation period and decreased water intake from 60 to180 minutes post injection. Whole blood glucose concentration was also significantly reduced after ICV NPAF injection. In experiment two, chicks that received ICV NPAF displayed altered behavior patterns; sleep time and feeding pecks were increased while perch time and number of jumps were decreased. In conclusion, NPAF appears to be a novel regulator of appetite and modulator of other behaviors.