Induction of Hypothalamic Aphagia and Adipsia in Goats

Abstract

Electrolytic lesions were made in the hypothalamic region of a series of goats. In three of the goats, bilateral lesions in the lateral area caused temporary aphagia lasting from 4 to 12 days. Adipsia lasted 8 and 23 days, respectively, in the aphagic goats. In a fourth goat, bilateral lesions in the anterior hypothalamic area caused aphagia and hypodipsia lasting 17 days, then the goat was sacrificed. During this time the goat had a rectal temperature of about 1.5 C higher than normal. The first three goats showed symptoms similar to those shown by rats with lateral hypothalamic lesions. Lesions in the fourth goat probably caused a malfunction of the heat-loss center. Feed and water intakes of goats with lesions in other regions of the hypothalamus are presented; these goats did not show similar feeding and drinking responses. The results of this experiment suggest that the central nervous system has a similar function in the control of feed intake in both ruminants and monogastric animals in spite of the fact that there are probably differences in the feedbacks and receptors making energy balance possible in the two types of animals. © 1968, American Dairy Science Association. All rights reserved.