Mahdavi Kimia, Zendehdel Morteza, Zarei Hamed
Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, 14155-6453, Iran.
Department of Biology, Faculty of Basic Science, Central Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
Vet Res Commun. 2025 Jan 13;49(2):73. doi: 10.1007/s11259-025-10644-9.
Ghrelin, a peptide hormone primarily produced in the enteroendocrine cells of the gastrointestinal tract, plays a vital role in regulating food intake, and energy balance in avian species. This review examines the complex interactions between ghrelin and the central signaling pathways associated with hunger regulation in birds. In contrast to mammals, where ghrelin typically promotes feeding behavior, its effects in birds appear more nuanced, exhibiting anorexigenic properties under certain conditions. The interactions of ghrelin with central signaling pathways, particularly within the hypothalamus, are explored, highlighting its influence on various neuropeptide systems, including GABAergic, corticotropinergic, opioidergic, dopaminergic, serotonergic, cannabinoidergic, and adrenergic pathways. This article synthesizes current knowledge regarding ghrelin's structure and physiological functions, as well as its interactions with other neuropeptides and hormones that collectively govern avian feeding behaviors. Furthermore, this review proposes future research directions aimed at elucidating the intricate mechanisms underlying appetite control in birds. Insights gained from this analysis may not only enhance our understanding of avian biology and the optimal regulation of their food intake but also inform wildlife management and conservation strategies in response to environmental changes.
胃饥饿素是一种主要由胃肠道肠内分泌细胞产生的肽类激素，在调节鸟类的食物摄入和能量平衡方面发挥着至关重要的作用。本综述探讨了胃饥饿素与鸟类饥饿调节相关的中枢信号通路之间的复杂相互作用。与哺乳动物不同，在哺乳动物中胃饥饿素通常促进摄食行为，而其在鸟类中的作用似乎更为微妙，在某些条件下表现出抑制食欲的特性。本文探讨了胃饥饿素与中枢信号通路的相互作用，特别是在下丘脑中的相互作用，强调了其对各种神经肽系统的影响，包括γ-氨基丁酸能、促肾上腺皮质激素能、阿片样物质能、多巴胺能、血清素能、大麻素能和肾上腺素能通路。本文综合了关于胃饥饿素的结构和生理功能的现有知识，以及其与其他共同调节鸟类摄食行为的神经肽和激素的相互作用。此外，本综述提出了未来的研究方向，旨在阐明鸟类食欲控制的复杂机制。从这一分析中获得的见解不仅可能增进我们对鸟类生物学及其食物摄入最佳调节的理解，还可能为应对环境变化的野生动物管理和保护策略提供信息。
