Summary This study was conducted to investigate the possible involvement of the histaminergic system in the mediation of ghrelin-induced feeding behavior in broiler chickens. In the trial 1, the effect of intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection of ghrelin on feed intake was examined in 3-h feed-deprived broiler chickens. In the trials 2 and 3, the chickens were received ICV chlorpheniramine (an H 1 receptor antagonist) and cimetidine (an H 2 receptor antagonist) prior to ghrelin injection, respectively. Cumulative feed intake was measured at 3-h post injections. Infusion of ghrelin (0.3, 0.6 and 1.2 nmol) decreased feed intake dosedependently (P<0.05). Pre-treatment of chlorpheniramine (100 µg) attenuated the inhibitory effect of ghrelin on feed intake (P<0.05), while such an effect was not noticed by pre-injection of cimetidine (100 µg). The results suggest that there is an interaction between ghrelin and the histaminergic system (through H 1 receptors) on control of feed intake in broiler chickens.
