ISSN:
1432-2072
Keywords:
Key words Sauvagine
;
Urotensin I
;
Corticotropin-releasing factor
;
Urocortin
;
Hypophagia
;
Anxiogenesis
;
Hyperactivity
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract The present study determined the behavioural effects of the corticotropin releasing factor (CRF)-related peptides, human/rat CRF (h/rCRF), ovine CRF (oCRF), sauvagine (SAUV), urotensin I (UT) and the recently discovered neuropeptide, rat urocortin (rUCN). All of the peptides dose-dependently increased motor activity in a familiar environment and reduced feeding in hungry rats. There was no apparent relationship between potency/affinity at CRF2 receptors and effects in these two tests. In a comparison of h/rCRF and rUCN upon discrete spontaneous behaviours, both peptides (3.0 μg ICV) increased activity and grooming, induced a fore-paw tremor and reduced the incidence of motionlessness. However, h/rCRF reduced motionlessness to a greater extent and was a more potent inducer of defaecation, weight loss, oral movements and fore-paw tremor than rUCN. In the elevated X maze, both h/rCRF and rUCN (1.0 μg ICV) had anxiogenic-like effects upon behaviour. In contrast, h/rCRF (1.0 μg ICV), but not rUCN (1.0–10 μg ICV) increased the startle response to an acoustic stimulus. In summary, all the CRF-related peptides increased motor activity and reduced feeding in rats in a similar manner and both rUCN and h/rCRF induced anxiogenesis. However, there were some behavioural differences between rUCN and h/rCRF which require further study. Further pharmacological investigation of the role of CRF receptor subtypes requires the use of subtype selective antagonists.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s002130050654
Permalink
