Age-dependent reduction of ghrelin- and motilin-induced contractile activity in the chicken gastrointestinal tract

► Age-dependent change in responses of ghrelin/motilin was examined in chicken. ► Contraction of ghrelin in proventriculus but not in crop decreased with age. ► Ghrelin receptor expression in proventriculus but not in crop decreased with age. ► Motilin receptor and contraction of motilin in proventriculus decreased with age. ► Age-related regulation of gastrointestinal motility by ghrelin/motilin is suggested.