Central effect of mammalian oxyntomodulin on food intake in non-fasted and fasted chicks

Oxyntomodulin (OXM), a proglucagon-derived peptide, is a well known anorexigenic peptide found in the gut and brain of mammals. The present study was carried out to investigate the central effect of OXM on food intake in non-fasted and fasted Ross broiler chicks. At four weeks of age, a guide cannula was stereotaxically implanted into the right lateral ventricle of each bird. Two experiments were conducted on free-feeding (non-fasted) and 6-h fasted broilers. In each experiment, eight birds were used in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design. The birds were given an intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection of different doses of mammalian OXM. Intracerebroventricular injection of OXM at doses of 1.5, 3 and 6 nmol significantly (P<0.05) decreased food intake for 3 h post injection in both non-fasted and fasted chicks. It may be concluded that central OXM may exert a suppressive effect on food intake in chicks.