Intracerebroventricular corticotropin-releasing factor decreases food intake in white-crowned sparrows

Neuropeptides such as corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) may play a role in regulating the pronounced seasonal changes in food intake shown by white -crowned sparrows (Zonotrichia leucophrys gambelii). White-crowned sparrows held on short day length received injections into the third ventricle (icv ) of saline or 5.0, 15.0, and 30 mug/kg. Meal size over the subsequent 180 min was significantly depressed in a dose-dependent fashion. Other non-spec ific behaviors such as preening, hopping, and immobile behaviors appeared t o not be affected by a dose that suppressed food intake. This experiment su ggests that white-crowned sparrows, when weight-stable, respond to CRF in a manner comparable with several mammalian species. (C) 2000 Elsevier Scienc e Inc. All rights reserved.