The central role of ATP in controlling broiler’s food intake

Purine nucleotides play different roles in many physiological functions of the central nervous system. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the central purine molecule ATP, an agonist of P2 receptors, for the first time, in the regulation of feeding behavior in broilers. Different doses of ATP (2.5, 25, and 50 μg) and its antagonist pyridoxal-phosphate-6-azophenyl-2′, 4′-disulphonic acid (PPADS) (50 μg), ATP (50 μg) plus PPADS (50 μg), and the solvent were injected intracerebroventricularly (ICV) to broilers. ATP increased food intake. PPADS reduced food intake. Concurrent injection of ATP and PPADS reduced food intake too. The present study suggests that ATP and P2 receptors are included in the regulation of food intake in neonate birds.