CHOLECYSTOKININ IS NOT A MAJOR REGULATOR IN THE DIGESTIVE-SYSTEM IN THE CHICKEN

To find out whether physiological concentrations of cholecystokinin (C CK), a gastrointestinal hormone in mammals, are also active in chicken s, the pancreatic amylase secretory response to CCK-8 was investigated in vitro. Rat pancreatic acini responded to the physiological concent ration of CCK-8, but in chickens amylase release was induced at a conc entration of CCK-8 1000 times higher than that observed in rats. In an other experiment, biliary flow was tested with several doses of CCK-8. The bile flow was stimulated in a dose-dependent fashion, but a signi ficant enhancement was not obtained at a concentration of 0.5 mu g CCK -8/kg body weight, which was considerably higher than physiological on es. It is concluded that endogeneous CCK does not have an important ro le in the digestive system in the chicken.