Relationships between feeding and locomotion behaviors after central administration of CRF in chicks

The effect of intracerebroventricular injection of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) on various behaviors in chicks was determined at 15-min interv als over a 30-min period. Food intake of chicks was significantly decreased , and pecking rhythm was significantly delayed by CRF during the first 15-m in post-injection. The similar tendencies were observed in the second 15-mi n post-injection, but not significantly different. Stepping, as an indicato r of locomotion, was not different at 15-min post-injection, but was increa sed by CRF, thereafter. These results suggest that CRF acts within the cent ral nervous system to decrease food intake and increase locomotion in the c hick. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.