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The effect of progesterone on food intake in pigeon

Although the role of progesterone in the control of feeding behavior is a well-known phenomenon in mammals, but there is little information regarding birds. Therefore, this study examined possible role of progesterone in the feeding behavior of pigeons. For this purpose, 32 adult male pigeons (350-420 g) were used. The birds were housed in individual cages and adapted to laboratory conditions two months prior to their use in the study. Food and water were available ad libitum. Ambient temperature was maintained between 70 and 80 °F and a 12 h light-dark cycle established. Animals were divided into 4 groups as follows: control (vehicle-injected), progesterone 0.1 mg/100 g, progesterone 0.2 mg/100 g, and progesterone 0.4 mg/100 g. The drugs were daily administered intramuscularly into the tibia. Food intake was recorded 1 h before and 1 and 24 h after injection. The experiment continued for 5 days. The results showed that progesterone at doses of 0.2 and 0.4 mg/100g increased food intake in pigeons. In addition, food and water deprivation had no effect on this result. Taken together, these finding indicate the involvement of progesterone in the regulation of food intake in pigeons, as has previously been observed in rats.