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Benzodiazepine receptor function in the chick social separation-stress procedure
G S Watson1, J T Roach, K J Sufka
1Department of Psychology, University of Mississippi 38677, USA.
Experimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology
|May 26, 1999
Summary
Benzodiazepine (BZ) receptors modulate distress vocalizations and stress-induced analgesia in young chickens. BZ agonists reduced these stress responses, confirming BZ receptor involvement in this animal model.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Animal Behavior
Background:
- Social separation in young animals triggers distress vocalizations (DVocs) and stress-induced analgesia (SIA).
- Benzodiazepine (BZ) receptors are known to influence anxiety and stress responses in mammals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of BZ receptors in modulating social separation-induced DVocs and SIA in 8-day-old cockerels.
- To validate the chick social separation model for studying BZ receptor activity.
Main Methods:
- Experiment 1: Administration of BZ agonist chlordiazepoxide (CDP) and antagonist flumazenil to isolated chicks.
- Experiment 2: Dose-dependent administration of BZ agonists alprazolam (ALP) and lorazepam (LOR) to isolated chicks.
- Measurement of DVocs and SIA following drug administration.
Main Results:
- CDP reversed both DVocs and SIA; flumazenil counteracted CDP's effects.
- ALP and LOR dose-dependently reversed DVocs and SIA.
- Effective doses (ED50) for ALP and LOR in attenuating DVocs were 0.19 and 0.34 mg/kg, respectively.
Conclusions:
- BZ receptor activity mediates the anxiolytic effects of CDP in the chick social separation model.
- This model is sensitive to BZ agonists with varying potencies.
- Findings support the role of BZ receptors in regulating stress and distress behaviors in avian species.