Bodyweight and Food and Water Consumption in Septal Lesioned and Operated Control Rats

Abstract

Food and water consumption were measured daily for 10 wk. in both light (60 day) and heavy (90 day) septal and control rats. Septal lesions increased water consumption and both the water/bodyweight and food/bodyweight measures but decreased the food/water ratio. These effects persisted in both heavy and light groups although lesion-control differences remained most marked in light animals. Despite these results, the rate at which weight was gained was similar for both lesioned and control rats. Finally, light Ss, regardless of surgical group, consumed more food/bodyweight and water/bodyweight than heavy rats.