Effect of epinephrine and its receptor blockers (á and â) on food intake and in vivo uptake of nutrients from small intestine in cockerels

The present study was designed to examine the effect of epinephrine and its receptor blockers on food intake and in situ uptake of calcium, phosphorus and glucose from small intestine of chicken. Thirty six, ten weeks old White Leghorn (WL) cockerels were divided into six groups of six birds each and treated as follows: Epinephrine treated group, á-receptor blocker (Tolazolin), epinephrine primed with á-receptor blocker, â-receptor blocker group (propranolol), epinephrine primed with â-receptor blocker and control group. Epinephrine caused reduction in food intake and in vivo absorption of calcium from small intestine. The absorption of phosphorus from small intestine was increased by the treatment with epinephrine, but glucose absorption was not altered. A significant increase in food intake was observed when the epinephrine was primed with á-receptor blocker (Tolazolin). Epinephrine mediated its effects on absorption through both á- and â-receptor blockers. It is concluded that epinephrine suppresses food intake mediating á-receptor, and reduces the absorption of calcium and improves the phosphorus uptake involving both á-and â-receptors.