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Corticosterone response in the chick separation-stress paradigm
Matthew W Feltenstein1, L Corinne Lambdin, Heather E Webb
1Department of Psychology, University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677, USA.
Physiology & Behavior
|April 5, 2003
Summary
Chlordiazepoxide (CDP) reduced distress vocalizations in young chickens under separation stress. However, CDP only modestly lowered corticosterone levels, suggesting behavioral markers are more sensitive to anxiolytics than this stress hormone.
Area of Science:
- Animal Behavior
- Neuroendocrinology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Separation stress in young animals can elicit significant behavioral and physiological responses.
- The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, regulated by corticosterone, is a key mediator of stress responses.
- Anxiolytic drugs, such as chlordiazepoxide (CDP), are known to modulate stress and anxiety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the corticosterone stress response in 7-day-old domestic fowl (Gallus gallus) during separation.
- To determine the efficacy of the anxiolytic chlordiazepoxide (CDP) in modulating both behavioral and physiological stress responses.
- To compare the sensitivity of behavioral distress vocalizations and corticosterone levels to anxiolytic treatment.
Main Methods:
- Domestic fowl chicks were administered saline or chlordiazepoxide (8.0 mg/kg) intramuscularly.
- Chicks underwent a 15-minute isolation test, with or without mirrors, and distress vocalizations were recorded.
- Following behavioral testing, blood samples were collected for corticosterone level analysis.
Main Results:
- Chicks in the 'No-Mirror' condition exhibited increased distress vocalizations, which were reduced by chlordiazepoxide (CDP).
- Corticosterone levels were highest in the 'No-Mirror' group, but CDP administration only modestly attenuated these levels.
- A parallel trend was observed between distress vocalizations and corticosterone levels, with behavioral measures showing greater sensitivity to CDP.
Conclusions:
- Corticosterone levels in young chickens generally reflect the degree of distress observed behaviorally.
- Behavioral indicators of distress, such as vocalizations, appear more sensitive to the anxiolytic effects of chlordiazepoxide than circulating corticosterone levels in this model.
- This study highlights differential sensitivity of stress markers to pharmacological interventions in avian models.