Antagonism of central growth hormone-releasing factor activity selectively attenuates dark-onset feeding in rats.

Exogenous growth hormone-releasing factor (GRF) has been shown to activate feeding by central mechanisms involving the suprachiasmatic nucleus/medial preoptic area (SCN/MPOA). Until now, however, the role played by endogenous GRF in the SCN/MPOA in naturally occurring eating has remained unknown. To investigate this, the effects of SCN/MPOA injections of GRF antiserum (AS-GRF) on feeding in rats were studied. In light of SCN involvement in the control of circadian rhythms, AS-GRF was tested during the light and dark phases of the photoperiod. Results indicated that AS-GRF significantly attenuated dark-onset feeding but had no effect on feeding during the mid-dark, mid-light, or light-onset periods. These results suggest that endogenous GRF does play a role in naturally occurring feeding and that it may be involved in the circadian organization of feeding.