The control of feather pecking by serotonin.

Abstract

Feather-pecking behavior in laying hens (Callus gallus) may be considered a behavioral pathology, comparable to human psychopathological disorders. Scientific knowledge on the causation of such disorders strongly suggests involvement of the serotonergic (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT) system in feather pecking. Previously, chicks from a high-feather-pecking (HFP) line were found to display lower 5-HT turnover levels than chicks from a low-feather-pecking (LFP) line (in response to acute stress; Y. M. van Hierden et al., 2002). The present study investigated whether low 5-HT neurotransmission modulates feather pecking. First. S-15535, a somatodendritic 5-HT-sub(1A) autoreceptor agonist, was demonstrated to be an excellent tool for reducing 5-HT turnover in the forebrain of LFP and HFP chicks. Second, the most effective dose of S-15535 (4.0 mg/kg body weight) significantly increased severe feather-pecking behavior. The results confirmed the postulation that the performance of feather pecking is triggered by low 5-HT neurotransmission.

• Authors: Yvonne M van Hierden, Sietse F de Boer, Jaap M Koolhaas, S Mechiel Korte
• Journal: Behavioral neuroscience (Behav Neurosci) Vol. 118 Issue 3 Pg. 575-83 (Jun 2004) ISSN: 0735-7044 [Print] United States
• PMID: 15174935 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: ((c) 2004 APA, all rights reserved)

Chemical References

• Piperazines
• Serotonin 5-HT1 Receptor Agonists
• 3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid
• 4-(benzodioxan-5-yl)-1-(indan-2-yl)piperazine
• Serotonin
• Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid
• Dopamine
• Homovanillic Acid

Topics

• 3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid (analysis)
• Aggression
• Animals
• Behavior, Animal
• Brain (anatomy & histology, drug effects, physiology)
• Brain Chemistry
• Chickens (metabolism, physiology)
• Disease Models, Animal
• Dopamine (analysis)
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Feathers
• Homovanillic Acid (analysis)
• Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid (analysis)
• Piperazines (pharmacology)
• Psychophysiologic Disorders (genetics, prevention & control)
• Random Allocation
• Restraint, Physical
• Serotonin (analysis, therapeutic use)
• Serotonin 5-HT1 Receptor Agonists