Behavioral effects of intraventricular dibutyryl cyclic AMP in domestic fowl

Intraventricular administration of dibutyryl cyclic AMP (dbcAMP) to domestic fowl induced behaviors within 60 seconds which persisted for 7-120 minutes. Stereotyped head movements and increases in preening were observed at the lowest dose (50 nmol), while at higher doses (150 and 225 nmol) head movements were interspersed with escape behavior, increases in locomotor activity, salivation and a loss of coordination. Administration also elicited vocalizations, mainly laying and type 1 warning calls. These calls contained many abnormal elements, possibly caused by relaxation of the syringeal musculature. The rate of calling was influenced by testosterone, being greater in hens and capons than in roosters or capons implanted with testosterone propionate. Caponization also intensified escape behavior. No behaviors were induced by administration of the hydrolysis product of dbcAMP, butyric acid. These behavioral effects of dbcAMP are similar to those reported to occur during electrical stimulation of loci in the avian brain.