Numerous neurons are present in brain, and various physiological responses and behaviors are controlled by networks constructed by them. Since the activities of these nerve cells are regulated by physiologically active substances called neurotransmitters secreted by the neurons, it can be said that physiological responses and behaviors of animals are regulated by neurotransmitters. In addition to these neurotransmitters, it is known that hormones in the body and physiologically active substances derived from diet have an effect on neuronal activity in the brain. Therefore, by searching physiologically active substances affecting the brain, there is a possibility that brain function such as stress and overeating can be regulated / improved. However, in order to investigate whether these physiologically active substances act on brain function, especially animal behavior, the substance must be administered directly into the brain. However, since intracerebral administration requires complicated techniques, it is difficult to carry out at present.

On the other hand, the researcher has a simple intracerebral administration (intraventricular administration) method for chicken chicks. Actually, we use this method to conduct the following research.

1) elucidation of eating regulation mechanism of chicken chicks

Since eating is essential for life support and growth of animals, we elucidate the feeding regulation mechanism of chicken chicks with the aim of efficient poultry production. Feeding is regulated by various physiologically active substances present in the body, so we are searching for novel physiologically active substances involved in food intake regulation, elucidation of the dynamics and mechanism of activity of physiologically active substances, expression of physiologically active substances, and we are working on elucidating the regulation of expression of physiologically active substances.

2) Elucidation of stress response mechanism of chicken chicks
Various stressors found in poultry production affect eating and growth of chicken chicks, digestive tract function, and have a great influence on production efficiency. Our goal is to create new varieties with high stress tolerance and stress relief under a breeding environment, so we mainly focus on elucidating the stress response mechanism of chicken chicks, essentially to identify physiologically active substances related to stress response.

By using this method, there is a possibility that a search for a physiologically active substance affecting on the brain can be easily performed. Since the researchers are conducting research on eating behaviors and stress reactions as described above, it may be possible to conduct joint research in these fields.