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Crowing and comb size are dependent on testosterone. (a) In contrast with hens, roosters crow and have bigger combs. (b) While both control chicks and T-administered chicks emit distress calls, T-administered chicks also crow and have bigger combs (Fig. S2).
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Animals that communicate using sound are found throughout the animal kingdom. Interestingly, in contrast to human vocal learning, most animals can produce species-specific patterns of vocalization without learning them from their parents. This phenomenon is called innate vocalization. The underlying molecular basis of both vocal learning in humans...
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... is a testosterone-dependent vocalization. Mature roosters have bigger combs and can crow, while mature hens have smaller combs and do not crow (Fig. 1a). Chickens are social animals, and chicks emit a distress call when they are isolated from the group (Fig. 1b). However, as expected, when T is chronically administered to chicks through subcutaneous implantation of a silastic tube containing testosterone propionate, a prominent comb develops and the chicks begin to emit a crowing ...
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... is a testosterone-dependent vocalization. Mature roosters have bigger combs and can crow, while mature hens have smaller combs and do not crow (Fig. 1a). Chickens are social animals, and chicks emit a distress call when they are isolated from the group (Fig. 1b). However, as expected, when T is chronically administered to chicks through subcutaneous implantation of a silastic tube containing testosterone propionate, a prominent comb develops and the chicks begin to emit a crowing sound, which is clearly different from the sound of their distress calls (Fig. 1b, Supplementary Fig. S2a,b). For ...
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... call when they are isolated from the group (Fig. 1b). However, as expected, when T is chronically administered to chicks through subcutaneous implantation of a silastic tube containing testosterone propionate, a prominent comb develops and the chicks begin to emit a crowing sound, which is clearly different from the sound of their distress calls (Fig. 1b, Supplementary Fig. S2a,b). For this study, we therefore generated two experimen- tal groups that allow us to compare individuals that crow with individuals that do not. The first group included chicks and chicks administered T, while the second included hens and ...
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... expression analysis to identify genes that induce crowing. Although the dorso- medial nucleus of the ICo (DM) controls sound production in song birds, the DM has not been characterized anatomically in chickens 3 ( Supplementary Fig. S1). Therefore, we first developed a method to punch out the ICo ( Supplementary Fig. S3). ...
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... visualized the sound using Sony Sound Forge Audio Studio ver. 9.0 (Sony), and counted the number of chick crowing sounds emitted according to a previous study 9 (Figs 1A, S2). At day 5, we obtained brain samples 2 h before light-onset when rooster crowing was observed frequently 4,5 . ...
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Postprandial lipemia has many physiopathological effects, some of which increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) can be found in almost all biological fluids, but their postprandial kinetics are poorly described. We aimed to profile circulating miRNAs in response to a fat challenge. In total, 641 circulating miRNAs were asses...
Citations
... In chickens, crowing is a testosterone-dependent activity [32], and hormone production increases when the bird is close to puberty [33]. Testosterone administration induces chicks to crow [34]. The rooster crowing symbolizes the break of dawn, and it is frequently observed in the morning. ...
... The CCKBR is a regulatory gene involved in inducing crow sounds in roosters. An increased CCKBR gene expression in chicks induced by testosterone can make them crow [34]. CCKBR intracerebral system was activated by social pressure [61]. ...
All birds produce vocalizations as a form of tcommunication with other individuals. Different from songbirds, crowing is a singing vocalization produced by chickens that cannot be learned through imitation. Some genes are assumed to be responsible for this activity. The long-crowing chickens have a melodious and long sound, so they are categorized as singing chickens. They are part of the biodiversity in Indonesia, which has high economic and socio-cultural value. Reviews about long-crowing chickens, especially in Indonesia, are still very rare. This article aims to identify the uniqueness and the existence of long-crowing chickens, together with the conservation efforts needed to manage them. Information was collected from journal articles and other relevant documents. There are four local chickens in Indonesia classified as long-crowing chickens. They are developed in different areas of the community with different socio-cultural characteristics. The fundamental differences among the breeds that can be quantified are in crowing duration and the number of syllables. The government has acknowledged that long-crowing chickens are important genetic resources; however, the association and individual keepers or enthusiasts are vital actors in conservation efforts. The information about long-crowing chickens in Indonesia is incomplete. The research activities that need to be conducted include exploring the population number and distribution, as well as documentation of the local knowledge of chicken breeders and enthusiasts.
... As mentioned above, CCK2 receptor is distributed both in the CNS and in peripheral tissues and plays an essential role in vital physiological functions [1,8,9,27,43]. In in vitro studies, CCK2R is often expressed ectopically in cell lines such as CHO-K1, as has been done previously by others [28,29]. ...
The cholecystokinin 2 receptor (CCK2R) is expressed in the central nervous system and peripheral tissues, playing an important role in higher nervous and gastrointestinal functions, pain sensation, and cancer growth. CCK2R is reversibly activated by cholecystokinin or gastrin, but whether it can be activated permanently is not known. In this work, we found that CCK2R expressed ectopically in CHO-K1 cells was permanently activated in the dark by sulfonated aluminum phthalocyanine (SALPC / AlPcS4, 10-1,000 nM), as monitored by Fura-2 fluorescent calcium imaging. Permanent CCK2R activation was also observed with AlPcS2, but not PcS4. CCK2R previously exposed to SALPC (3 and 10 nM) was sensitized by subsequent light irradiation (> 580 nm, 31.5 mW·cm −2). After the genetically encoded protein photosensitizer mini singlet oxygen generator (miniSOG) was fused to the N-terminus of CCK2R and expressed in CHO-K1 cells, light irradiation (450 nm, 85 mW·cm −2) activated in-frame CCK2R (miniSOG-CCK2R), permanently triggering persistent calcium oscillations blocked by the CCK2R antagonist YM 022 (30 nM). From these data, it is concluded that SALPC is a long-lasting CCK2R agonist in the dark, and CCK2R is photogenetically activated permanently with miniSOG as photosensitizer. These properties of SALPC and CCK2R could be used to study CCK2R physiology and possibly for pain and cancer therapies.
Forkhead-box subclass P member 2 (FOXP2/FoxP2) protein, a transcription factor, regulates the development of certain brain functions, including human speech and animal vocalization. Although rapid progress has been made in demonstrating a relationship between FoxP2 expression in the brain and vocalization of the zebra finch, a typical vocal learner, the relationship in avian vocal non-learners, including chickens remains elusive. Because the midbrain plays a key role in innate vocalization development, we analyzed the FoxP2 protein in the midbrain of chicks, which do not cheep before hatching but cheep and call after hatching. Western blot analyses showed a significant reduction in FoxP2 protein in the chick midbrain after hatching compared with the findings before hatching. Quantitative immunohistochemistry revealed that FoxP2-immunoreactive (ir) cells significantly decreased at the stratum gris fibrosum (SGFS) of the optic tectum in the chick midbrain after hatching compared with the findings before hatching. These findings support the notion that FoxP2-ir cell numbers decrease at a specific region in the midbrain after hatching may be involved in innate vocalization of avian vocal non-learners.
Cholecystokinin (CCK) is widely distributed in the gastrointestinal tract and central nervous system, regulating a range of physiological functions by activating its receptors (CCK1R and CCK2R). Compared to those in mammals, the CCK gene and its receptors have already been cloned in various birds, such as chickens. However, knowledge regarding their functionality and tissue expression is limited. In this study, we examined the expression of CCK and its two receptors in chicken tissues. In addition, the functionality of the two receptors was investigated. Using three cell-based luciferase reporter systems and western blots, we demonstrated that chicken (c-) CCK1R could be potently activated by cCCK-8S but not cCCK-4, whereas cCCK2R could be activated by cCCK-8S and cCCK-4 with similar efficiency. Using RNA-sequencing, we revealed that cCCK is abundantly expressed in the testis, ileum and several brain regions (cerebrum, midbrain, cerebellum, hindbrain and hypothalamus). The abundant expression of CCK in the hypothalamus was further supported by immunofluorescence. In addition, cCCK1R is highly expressed in the pancreas and moderately expressed in various intestinal regions (ileum, cecum and rectum) and the pituitary gland, whereas cCCK2R expression is primarily restricted to the brain. Our data reveal the differential specificities of CCK receptors for various CCK peptides. In combination with the differential tissue distribution of CCK and its receptors, the present study helps to understanding the physiological functions of CCK/CCKRs in birds.
Gastrin and cholecystokinin peptides bind a common G-protein coupled receptor, cholecystokinin receptor B (CCKBR) whilst cholecystokinin receptor A (CCKAR) is preferentially bound by CCK. Gastrin and cholecystokinin mediate signalling from the gastrointestinal tract to regulate appetite and digestive function. In this study, expression of the cholecystokinin/gastrin family and distribution of their receptors expression was measured to understand the target organs for the peptides and how expression responds to changes in food intake. We confirmed the restricted expression of gastrin in the antrum and the abundant expression of cholecystokinin in the hypothalamus. The expression of gastrin in the antrum was significantly elevated in broiler breeders when released from feed restriction. CCKBR was most abundant in the hypothalamus and proventriculus. CCKAR was most abundant in the pancreas and crop, more than tenfold greater than the gastrointestinal tract. Cholecystokinin expression in the pancreas increased after removal of food restriction. CCKAR in the gastrointestinal tract peaks around the distal ileum, distal to the peak of cholecystokinin expression. There was virtually no cholecystokinin expression in the caecum but CCKAR expression was high. The CCKAR expression in the crop was unexpected, supporting a role of cholecystokinin in mediating crop emptying which was supported by the observation of in-vitro contraction after cholecystokinin administration. The response to changes in food intake and the expression pattern of the cholecystokinin/gastrin family and their receptors will stimulate and inform new hypotheses on their role in growth in poultry.
Peptides play significant roles in diverse physiological processes. This chapter provides a brief review on 134 peptides/neuropeptides, divided under 39 families. This covers their structure, functions, expression and major actions involved in the regulation of avian growth, stress, food intake, energy balance, lipid and glucose metabolism, reproduction, water homeostasis, calcium homeostasis, cardiovascular functions, blood pressure, host defense, etc., in a systemic approach. Most of these avian peptides have their corresponding mammalian orthologs, and some of them play physiological roles similar to those in mammals, such as hypothalamic GHRH and SST, stimulate, and inhibit pituitary GH secretion, respectively. However, notable differences are present between these two animal groups, so caution must be taken when we transfer our knowledge on mammalian peptides onto avian models. The unique physiological and behavioral processes such as flight, brooding in birds warrant in-depth investigation to uncover the roles of these peptides in avian model and across vertebrates from a comparative endocrinological perspective.
Male Japanese quail produce high-frequency crow vocalizations to attract females during the breeding season. The nucleus of intercollicularis (ICo) is the midbrain vocal center in birds and electrical stimulation of the ICo produces calls that include crowing. Noradrenaline plays a significant role in sexual behavior but the contribution of noradrenaline in the control of courtship vocalizations in quail has not been well established. Using dose-dependent intracerebroventricular injection of clonidine, an α2-adrenergic receptor-specific agonist, crowing vocalization was immediately suppressed. At the same time as crow suppression by clonidine there was a reduction of immediate early gene, zenk mRNA, in the ICo; no zenk mRNA expression was detected in the dorsomedial division of the nucleus. Using histochemistry, we determined that the ICo receives noradrenergic innervation and expresses α2A-adrenergic receptor mRNA. Taken together, these data suggest that noradrenaline regulates courtship vocalization in quail, possibly via the α2A-adrenergic receptor expressed on ICo neurons.
In birds, our understanding of the neuroendocrine mechanisms that mediate acoustic communication and advertisement largely focuses on learned song. This means that the majority of research in this area centers around oscine passerines that are the predominant vocal learners of the avian world. However, several other bird species generate complex acoustic signals through phonation or body movements. The neural and hormonal basis of these displays is less clear; thus, we have reviewed work, herein, that explores the mechanisms. We have focused on land fowl, doves, and other Neoaves (modern birds) that generate an array of sounds using either their vocal organ (syrinx) or their body. We have described our current knowledge of the brain areas that underlie such behavior and the hormones that act on these areas to mediate communication.
