Abstract
A study was carried out to investigate the action of central L-pheylalanine (Phe) and L-tyrosine (Tyr) on food intake of the chicken. In the first trial, Phe ($200{\mu}g/10{\mu}l$) or saline was acutely administered into the right lateral ventricle (i.c.v.) of chickens (5 birds per each group). Birds (4 birds per each group) were administered with the i.c.v. Tyr ($200{\mu}g/10{\mu}l$) or saline in the second trial. The brains of the birds were removed for catecholamine assy 30 min postadministration. Catecholamine concentrations were measured at specific sites of the brain (LH: lateral hypothalamus, PVN: paraventricular nucleus, and VMH: ventromedial hypothalamus). No significant effect of amino acids on the concentration of norepinephrine of brain sites investigated was detected. Food intake and rectal body temperature were also monitored for 6 h after central administrations of Phe, Tyr or saline (5 birds per each group). Both Phe and Tyr, up to $1mg/10{\mu}l$, failed to modulate food intake or rectal body temperature.