Hippocampal Lesions and Open-Field Defecation in Rats

Abstract

Effects of dorsal and ventral hippocampal lesions on open-field defecation of rats were investigated. Based on presurgical testing, matched groups from both sexes were either lesioned or sham-operated. Compared to respective presurgical scores the postsurgical defecation score decreased significantly in the sham-operated group but remained the same in the hippocampally lesioned group. Results were discussed in terms of habituation and the inverted-U arousal function.